Roger B. Blake was born in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, England, on March 13, 1939, to Roy and Margaret Blake. He passed away peacefully in Victoria, BC, on August 7, 2026, two days after celebrating his 59th wedding anniversary with his beloved wife, Leena.
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, Saskatchewan. In 1946, they returned to the UK when his father was posted to the Canadian High Commission as Agriculture Attaché. Further moves followed—to Melbourne, Australia in 1950, and later to Port of Spain, Trinidad, where Roger lived until 1957.
Roger attended the Royal Military College, where he played soccer and football, captained the swim and water polo teams, and earned the Prince of Wales Trophy for best all-round athlete over four years. He graduated with a Diploma in Electrical Engineering and later completed his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering at the University of Alberta.
He served 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 posting was in Los Angeles, where he met and married Leena. Together they lived around the world during postings to Cairo, Rio de Janeiro, Perth, and Sydney. After a leave of absence, Roger was appointed Vice President of Canadair. Upon retirement, he and Leena returned to Perth, Western Australia.
In Perth, Roger became the personal assistant to the Vice Chancellor of Murdoch University, served as Chairman of two companies, and sat on the boards of five others. He and Leena launched a bakery franchise, establishing 17 stores in 17 months. Roger also taught English to immigrants for more than 15 years and served on the Autism Board in Perth. A lifelong learner, he was a proud member of Mensa. In 2017, he returned to Canada to be closer to five of his seven grandchildren living in the United States.
Roger fulfilled one of his greatest ambitions—to lead a diverse and meaningful career. He served in the military, taught English, held senior government roles, led in the private sector, and became a successful entrepreneur. He was an avid golfer and a member of Royal Colwood Golf Club.
Roger is survived by his devoted wife, Leena, his three children Andrew, Robbie, and Tanja, his seven cherished grandchildren Blake, Toby, Tayla, Larry, Marcus, Addison and Cameron, and his brother Ian.
He will be remembered for his curiosity, his generosity, his sharp wit, his love for his family, and the deep friendships he nurtured throughout his life.
Private family cremation arrangements are entrusted to McCall Gardens.
Condolences may be offered below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
This obituary is the property of the “Blake” family and may not be reproduced, distributed, or altered in any way without prior written consent.
22 Responses
So sad to see Roger go. He was special to my wife Diana and me. A wonderful friend who stayed in contact to the end. Roger and I were classmates at Royal Military College. We struggled through electrical engineering classes together and shared an apartment while we completed a post-RMC degree year at University of Alberta. Roger always kept his sense of humour that we both were not at the top of the class.
Roger was the best man at our wedding. We visited Leena and he in Perth after he retired from Consular Service. They both were able to visit us where we live in Texas. In later years, we stayed in touch by phone.
Roger was always chatty, never a boaster but rather a booster. We will miss him and his sparkling personality.
Roger, mon vieux
Aboard my junk in Repulse Bay HK – for a moment of relaxation from your duties at Canadair. Ages ago in the 80s, but the good times are not forgotten. R.I.P.
Robert Bolduc
Ottawa
I just found out today that Roger had passed. Roger & Leena hosted my late husband Gerry several times over the years, when they lived in Perth. We always enjoyed each & every moment spend with them.
The 3 classmates from RMC – Roger; Kenny & Gerry are now playing their beloved golf, somewhere that is beyond a golf course we have ever played on this earth.
I am so sorry.
Teresa Reid
Thanks to our Australian relatives and friends Barry and Carole Crommelin we have met Roger and Leena during our visit to Perth. We immediately loved the company of this lovely couple and enjoyed very much their hospitality in their house. As Dutch cousins of the Crommelin’s he always showed much interest in Europe and European politics. We will remember him as a real gentleman and someone who cares about the people around him. We will keep Leena in our prayers and we think of you all. Hans and Ank Gualthérie van Weezel
We had wonderful times with Roger and Leena, in Perth, Western Australia and Sydney.
Roger was a wonderful friend, much missed when he and Leena moved back to Canada in latter years.
We wish Leena peace and joy.
We extend our condolences to the family and express the sincere hope that if your travels bring you this way we will see you.
We became close friends of Roger and Leena while living in Los Angeles, and regarded them most dearly since then. We were fortunate to reconnect in Ottawa and again in western Canada. Roger and Leena were an important piece of fabric in our life. Our sincerest condolences to Leena and the family.
Roger Blake was a remarkable man who excelled in all that he did. And he did a lot in his wide ranging career -soldier, trade commissioner, company executive, entrepreneur. But above all, he was a wonderful and loyal family man and friend to all he met. June and I were very lucky to count Roger and Leena as friends. We shed tears at his loss and will miss his unfailing cheerfulness and optimism. A truly remarkable man.
I looked up to Roger and not just because of his height. Roger was head of post in Rio when I was number two (of two) in Sao Paulo. Roger was bigger than life. And he had pizzaz and he got things done. And he had a heart. My first boss in Sao Paulo was not a career foreign service officer. He was completely culture shocked and out of his depth. Roger was a lifeline and remained a lifelong friend including out here on the Westcoast and through many TCS golf outings. My heart goes out to Leena and the whole family. RIP my friend.
Axel
What a bright light Roger was in the world! To my late husband Al Kilpatrick, he was a fellow Trade Commissioner and treasured friend. To me, he was for a time, my boss at TCS Headquarters where I tried to keep up with his boundless energy, rapid fire speech and unique managerial style. As a couple, we valued Roger and Leena’s friendship and company, when geography allowed.
Not long ago, I had the good fortune to have lunch with Roger and Leena in Victoria where, despite declining health and difficult circumstances, Roger still showed such an interest in his friends’ lives as well as devotion to the love of his life, Leena, whom he always affectionately dubbed “ The Finn”.
Rest in peace, Roger.
Dear Leena and all your precious family,
So sad for the loss of a good man. A friend, a mentor, great company on the Bibbulmum track and 12th man on the court. He was a leader in the WA Consular Corps with wisdom and dignity.
May he rest in peace.