Raymond “Ray” Patrick Blake, 78, of Mathews, Virginia, passed away on Monday, December 25, 2023, after living with Parkinson’s disease for 14 years. He was born the fourth of five kids in Baltimore, Maryland, on August 23, 1945 to James Brooke Blake and Pauline Citrano Blake. He was a graduate of Calvert Hall College High School and the University of Baltimore. He also was a Vietnam veteran. Ray was an enthusiastic Baltimore Orioles and Ravens fan, an avid boater, both power and sail of the Chesapeake Bay, the Intercoastal Waterway, and the Caribbean. He was a member of the Back Creek Yacht Club in Annapolis, Maryland, and a member of the Mathews Yacht Club in Mathews. His work was in the greater Baltimore-Washington market in multi-unit operations.

He was predeceased by his parents and brothers, Brooke and David.

Ray is survived by his wife of 40 years, Brenda Anne Ripley; his children from previous marriages, Kelly Blake and Patrick; a brother, John/Jack; his sister, Marianne Renninger; a granddaughter, Lucia (child of Kelly and Alfredo Nava-Tudela), and numerous nieces and nephews.

Ray was cremated and his family and friends will gather at 2 p.m. for a celebration of his life on Sunday, January 14, 2024 at their home in Susan, Virginia. Donations may be made in his memory to the Michael J. Fox Foundation at give.michaeljfox.org and to Calvert Hall College High School, 8102 Lasalle Road, Towson, Md. 21286.

Faulkner Funeral Homes, Foster-Faulkner Chapel, Mathews, is assisting the Blake family.