Roger B Blake was born in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, England on March 13, 1939. He passed away in Victoria, BC on August 7, 2026. Roger came to Canada with his family in September 1939, on the last boat to leave the UK before the outbreak of war. The family settled in Saskatoon, Sask. In 1946 the family moved back to the UK when his father was posted to the Canadian High Commission as Agriculture Attaché. In 1950 he was in Melbourne Australia and stayed there until 1957 when he decamped to Port of Spain, Trinidad.
He entered the Royal Military College where he played Soccer, football and was Captain of the Swim and Water Polo team. He won the Prince of Wales Trophy for the best all-round athlete over the four years. He graduated with a Diploma in Electrical Engineering. In 1961 he went to the University of Alberta and received his Bachelor of Science in EE.
Three years in the RCAF as an Armament Officer with postings in Bagotville, PQ and Val d’Or before joining the Trade Commissioner Service in 1965. His first post was in Los Angeles where he met and married Leena. Postings to Cairo, Rio de Janeiro, Perth and Sydney Australia were followed by a leave of absence where he was appointed Vice President of Canadair. On retirement he and Leena returned to Perth, Western Australia.
He became the personal assistant to the Vice Chancellor of Murdoch University. He served as Chairman of two companies and was on the board of 5 others. Roger and Leena started a bakery franchise and established 17 stores in 17 months. During this time, he taught English to Immigrants for over 15 years and served on the Autism board in Perth. Roger was a member of Mensa. He returned to Canada in 2017 to be closer to five of his seven grandchildren who resided in the US.
Roger fulfilled one of his main objectives by which was to have a diversified career. He served in the Military, taught English, served as a senior government executive, was Vice President of a major company, and became a successful entrepreneur at the end. Roger was a keen golfer and a member of Royal Colwood Golf Club. Private family cremation arrangements entrusted to McCall Gardens.
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McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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