Mark A. Blake, 61, Died; Westport EMS Crew Chief, Weston Firefighter
Mark A. Blake, age 61, of Stratford, Connecticut, died Tuesday, September 20, 2022, after a valiant battle with COVID-19. Mark, a beloved and loving son, brother, husband, father, and friend, passed peacefully with his family by his side.
Born in Boston, Massachusetts, on June 27, 1961, Mark is survived by his devoted wife Eileen, and his two children, Ryan (16) and Liam (13), of whom he was incredibly proud. Mark leaves to cherish his memory: his mother Mary Blake; brother Terry Blake and his wife Tracy Dayton, and their children Jillian and Jackson; and his in-laws Mike and Alexine Henzy, Tim (Kerry), Bill (Wendy), and Catherine (Ryan Eastwood), and their children, his dear nieces and nephews. Mark also had numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins who he loved dearly, some of whom were there to greet him when he passed.
Mark was a selfless volunteer for his community. He was honored to be a Life Member of the Weston Volunteer Fire Department (WVFD) and the Emergency Medical Service (EMS). He served the WVFD as Vice-President and as a Lieutenant. He was also Chairman of the WVFD Benevolent Committee, the Public Relations Committee, and the Explorer Post, amongst others. During his tenure, Mark established the Child Passenger Safety Program in Weston and the Fairfield County Chapter of Safe Kids. He was a Child Passenger Safety Instructor and one of his greatest joys was working with parents and families to teach them how to safely transport their children. Mark received numerous awards, including Firefighter of the Year, the President and Chief Award, and was recognized for Outstanding Service at the Blue Mass by the Diocese of Bridgeport and the Knights of Columbus. Mark also was a Board Member and President of the Southwest EMS Council and the Vice-President of the Southwest Regional Communications Center.
In addition to his volunteer work, Mark was an EMS Supervisor on the Westport Emergency Medical Service, where, after first serving as a volunteer, he was employed for more than 30 years. While Mark was a decorated member of EMS, his greatest sense of accomplishment was doing what he loved to do – assisting others when they needed it the most.
Mark was a mentor to members of his Fire and EMS families. Mark’s family and friends have found comfort in the incredible stories and tributes shared by so many individuals who Mark aided and inspired over the years.
Mark was very proud of his work during the L’Ambiance Plaza building collapse in 1987, and his involvement with the Red Cross, supporting its response to the 9/11 attacks. Mark instilled his love of, and dedication to, community service in so many others, most significantly his brother and sons who so proudly carry on his legacy.
Mark was a wicked Boston sports fan. Going to the Boston championship Duck Boat parades and Red Sox games at Fenway with his brother and with his sons were among his most cherished memories. A member of the Norwalk Police Emerald Society, Mark took every opportunity to celebrate and share his Irish heritage.
Mark and his family would like to express their gratitude to his angels at St. Vincent’s Hospital and Gaylord Healthcare, who so genuinely cared for him from their heart, helping him to find the silver lining during his battle, and making this journey more bearable. Those individuals know exactly who they are because he was sure to express his appreciation no matter what the circumstances.
Visitation will be at the Harding Funeral Home in Westport, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Monday, September 26, 2022.
A Mass will be held at St. Matthew Church in Norwalk at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, September 27, 2022. Burial will follow at Willowbrook Cemetery in Westport.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Mark’s memory may be made to St. Joseph High School in Trumbull, where his family has established the Mark A. Blake scholarship to be awarded to a student interested in pursuing a career as a first responder. Donations in Mark’s memory may also be made to the Weston Volunteer Fire Department. The Mass of Christian Burial will livestream on the following platforms:
• St. Matthew Website: http://stmatthewnorwalk.org/
• St. Matthew Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StMatthewNorwalk/
Morning Weather Report
Today
Showers and thunderstorms likely before 11am, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm between 11am and 2pm, then a chance of showers after 2pm. High near 72. Southwest wind 7 to 10 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Tonight
Mostly clear, with a low around 47. Northwest wind 9 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph.
Tomorrow
Sunny, with a high near 64. North wind 14 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph.
Tomorrow Night
Clear, with a low around 47. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph.
High Tides
9:31 AM / 9:46 PM
Low Tides
3:27 AM / 3:44 PM
Westport COVID-19 Cases Up 6; State Positivity Rate 9.88%
The State Department of Public Health reported 6 more COVID-19 cases in Westport over the past two days. The State positivity rate was up to 9.88% while 375 people remain hospitalized.
Westport total positive or probable cases: 5,839 cases.
Westport total COVID-19 Deaths: 40 deaths
State Daily Test Positivity: 9.88% [up from 9.33%]
Westport Museum Offers Colonial Field Day October 1st
Press Release
Kick of a fun fall season by stepping into the past and learning about life in days of yore! Westport Museum for History & Culture is hosting a Colonial Field Day with games, dancing, workshops and more for the whole family.
During Colonial Field Day visitors will get to experience real activities that young people would have done during the 18th century here in Westport and elsewhere in New England.
“The Field Day is meant to be enjoyable but also to educate about actual daily life during the Colonial period,” said Nicole Carpenter, Westport Museum’s Director of Programs and Collections. “Beating a rug and breaking flax are fun activities when done for a few minutes, but also gives insight into how these chores would have impacted people when these laborious tasks were a mainstay of life.”
A free program, costumed interpreters will lead the afternoon events. In addition to demonstrations, hands-on pickling and candle making workshops will be held for a nominal free with a discount for members. Colonial Field Day will be held at the Museum’s lovely grounds in downtown Westport at 25 Avery Place (across from Town Hall) on October 1st from 2pm to 5pm. Visitors may park on Avery Place; Myrtle Avenue, across from the Museum driveway; behind town hall; and in the Baldwin Parking lot off Elm Street which has stairs up to Avery Place.