Obituary for Douglas Andrew Blake
Douglas Andrew Blake 70 of Forked River, NJ died Friday, March 12, 2021.
Born and raised in Hackettstown, NJ, Douglas lived in Basking Ridge for many years and moved to Forked River 3 years ago. Doug was a graduate of Hackettstown High School where he was a 12-time letter winner in wrestling, baseball and football. He was a 4-year football starter, 2nd all state running back and defensive back. Doug was also a 4-year wrestling starter, in his junior and senior year he was 38-0 in the district, he was regional and state champion for 157lbs and 168lbs weight classes in 1967 and 1968.
In baseball, Doug was also a 4-year starter, 1st team all-state pitcher and outfielder, who was drafted out of high school in 1968 to the LA Dodgers. Doug turned the Dodgers down to attend Princeton University where he played football and baseball and made close friends. He led the nation in triples in his senior year and was named to Princeton’s All-Star Team of the 70’s. Doug worked in Sales at Pitney Bowes in Pine Brook, NJ until his retirement. While at Pitney Bowes, Doug reached high sales honors in numerous years.
Doug was predeceased by his father Arthur E. Blake and his first wife Gayle Lecheler Blake. Surviving is his wife of 27 years Meg Coogan-Blake, his loving mother Helen Blake, 2 brothers, Arthur Blake and his wife, Virginia and Andrew Blake, 4 sisters, Elyse Allen and her husband Daniel, Pamela Wolfe, Diane Schank and her husband Harold, Allison Struble and her husband Robert. Doug was a beloved brother-in-law and spent much time in the company of Bill and Janet Coogan, Maryelyn Coogan Chapman and Kathleen Coogan Calabro. Many nieces and nephews survive Doug. He is also survived by his dog, Emmy. She looks for him and misses him and all the walks and treats.
Doug had many friends from all areas of his life and he kept them, from his days in a carriage to grammar school, high school, college, athletics and his work life. These friends have been an important part of his life and they remained in touch with Doug over decades and decades. It was a joy to behold the devotion they had to each other.
Visitation will be Friday, March 19, 2021 from 1-4 pm at the O’Brien Funeral Home, 2028 Hwy 35 at New Bedford Rd., Wall. Funeral Mass will be Saturday, March 20, 2021, 11 AM at St. Teresa of Calcutta Parish, St. Elizabeth Church, Avon, NJ. Committal will be private. For more information, please visit www.obrienfuneralhome.com.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Doug’s memory to Alzheimer’s Association Greater NJ Chapter, 3 Eves Dr., # 310 Marlton, NJ 08053.
Due to the Covid-19 executive orders, please be mindful that all gatherings must follow capacity limitations, the wearing of masks, and the maintenance of social distancing.
Born and raised in Hackettstown, NJ, Douglas lived in Basking Ridge for many years and moved to Forked River 3 years ago. Doug was a graduate of Hackettstown High School where he was a 12-time letter winner in wrestling, baseball and football. He was a 4-year football starter, 2nd all state running back and defensive back. Doug was also a 4-year wrestling starter, in his junior and senior year he was 38-0 in the district, he was regional and state champion for 157lbs and 168lbs weight classes in 1967 and 1968.
In baseball, Doug was also a 4-year starter, 1st team all-state pitcher and outfielder, who was drafted out of high school in 1968 to the LA Dodgers. Doug turned the Dodgers down to attend Princeton University where he played football and baseball and made close friends. He led the nation in triples in his senior year and was named to Princeton’s All-Star Team of the 70’s. Doug worked in Sales at Pitney Bowes in Pine Brook, NJ until his retirement. While at Pitney Bowes, Doug reached high sales honors in numerous years.
Doug was predeceased by his father Arthur E. Blake and his first wife Gayle Lecheler Blake. Surviving is his wife of 27 years Meg Coogan-Blake, his loving mother Helen Blake, 2 brothers, Arthur Blake and his wife, Virginia and Andrew Blake, 4 sisters, Elyse Allen and her husband Daniel, Pamela Wolfe, Diane Schank and her husband Harold, Allison Struble and her husband Robert. Doug was a beloved brother-in-law and spent much time in the company of Bill and Janet Coogan, Maryelyn Coogan Chapman and Kathleen Coogan Calabro. Many nieces and nephews survive Doug. He is also survived by his dog, Emmy. She looks for him and misses him and all the walks and treats.
Doug had many friends from all areas of his life and he kept them, from his days in a carriage to grammar school, high school, college, athletics and his work life. These friends have been an important part of his life and they remained in touch with Doug over decades and decades. It was a joy to behold the devotion they had to each other.
Visitation will be Friday, March 19, 2021 from 1-4 pm at the O’Brien Funeral Home, 2028 Hwy 35 at New Bedford Rd., Wall. Funeral Mass will be Saturday, March 20, 2021, 11 AM at St. Teresa of Calcutta Parish, St. Elizabeth Church, Avon, NJ. Committal will be private. For more information, please visit www.obrienfuneralhome.com.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Doug’s memory to Alzheimer’s Association Greater NJ Chapter, 3 Eves Dr., # 310 Marlton, NJ 08053.
Due to the Covid-19 executive orders, please be mindful that all gatherings must follow capacity limitations, the wearing of masks, and the maintenance of social distancing.