Dexter Blake's Obituary
Dexter Blake, 77, of Liverpool, passed away Wednesday, November 21, 2018 at the Roswell Park Cancer Center in Buffalo, NY after a courageous 2-year battle with leukemia. He was born in Oceanside, NY on July 18, 1941, son of the late Richard and Helen (Wright) Blake.
Dexter enjoyed a distinguished career in media in the greater Syracuse community, working many years first for WTVH-TV Channel 5 and later for WIXT-TV Channel 9 (now WSYR-TV) as a reporter, photographer, editor and producer. He was a past president of the National Association of Broadcast Engineers and Technicians (NABET) Local 211 as well as a past president of the Syracuse Press Club. Later in his professional life, he was employed by JCM Properties, Inc.
Dexter had an abiding love for the fire service and fire service history. He was a past president of SPAAMFAA, the Society for the Preservation and Appreciation of Antique Motor Fire Apparatus in America, and was an honorary member of the Moyers Corners Volunteer Fire Department. He also enjoyed reading news and debating politics and was a fan of the New York Mets baseball team and the Syracuse Orange football and basketball teams.
Dexter married Filomena Bottino on October 12, 1968 and the couple recently marked their 50th wedding anniversary surrounded by family and friends. In addition to his wife, Dexter is survived by his son, Jason (Stephanie) Blake and their children, Ethan and Abby; his son, Jarod (Lisa) Blake and their children, Cooper and Parker; his son, Ian Blake; his daughter, Ashley (Michael) Scala and their children, Ryan, Leah and Jake; his aunt, Louise O'Connor; and many cherished nieces, nephews, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.
Calling hours will be held on Sunday, November 25, 2018 from 2:00 – 4:30 pm, immediately followed by a funeral service in celebration of Dexter’s life at the THOMAS J. PIRRO JR. FUNERAL HOME, 3401 Vickery Rd. (corner of Buckley Rd.) North Syracuse, NY.
Contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Western & Central New York, 4043 Maple Road, Amherst, NY 14226.
What’s your fondest memory of Dexter?
What’s a lesson you learned from Dexter?
Share a story where Dexter's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Dexter you’ll never forget.
How did Dexter make you smile?