The family thanks the staff of Mid Coast Hospital for their outstanding skill and compassion.
He was born in East Boothbay, Maine on July 3, 1932, the son of Leroy and Emily (Dodge) Blake. We were blessed to have Collie in our lives and he will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him – especially his surviving family; wife of 33 years, Germaine Sawyer; children: sons, David Blake and wife Lori of Saco; Arthur Blake and wife Laura of Lyman; Anthony Blake and wife Katrina of Amissville, VA; daughters, Colleen Kenyon and husband George of Topsham; Brenda Schilinski and husband Paul of Manassas, VA; stepchildren, James Sawyer and wife Lori of Freeport; Dale Sawyer of Freeport; and Diane Crean and husband Sean of Clifton, VA; 12 grandchildren, 3 greatgrandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Corliss enjoyed his early years in the small village of East Boothbay helping his favorite Uncle Ken at his sawmill on Adam’s Pond. When WWII broke, his father got a job with Bath Iron Works at the Brunswick Yard and moved his family to South Freeport where Collie lived for most of his life. Corliss joined The Marine Corps during the Korean Conflict and became the youngest Staff Sergeant drill instructor for the Marines. His first wife was a WAF in the Air Force and upon their discharges, they made their way back to Maine with their first child, Colleen, in tow. Corliss started his construction career with Gordon Sweetser of Yarmouth. Soon he became quite a master woodworker, carpenter and builder. He began his business – C. A. Blake, Inc, builder of very fine custom homes. Sixteen years later, due to a medical condition he gave up construction and started Freeport Realty. Later Collie and his second wife, Germaine, partnered with Norman and Patricia Williams in the operation of the Western Auto store in Freeport.
Corliss had a dry sense of humor, enjoyed traveling, the Red Sox, New England Patriots, volunteering, and socializing with the Freeport Elders. He loved wood carving, basketmaking, card games, puzzles, and cooking.
A summer interment and memorial service, with military honors, will take place at the Maine Veterans Cemetery in Augusta. In lieu of flowers, “ In memory of Corliss A. Blake” donations may be made to: Freeport Elders Association, 53 Depot Rd, Freeport, ME 04032.
You are invited to share your thoughts and condolences with the Blake family by visiting their online registry at www.brackettfuneralhome.com.
obits@timesrecord.com
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