CAPE ELIZABETH – William “Bill” Dyer Blake, 83, passed away peacefully on September 11, 2025, at Cape Memory Care Assisting Living after an extended illness with dementia. Up until his passing, Bill maintained his kindness and love of family and friends. His sense of humor never wavered through it all.
Bill was born in Paterson City, New Jersey on November 8, 1941, son of Foster and Dorothea Blake. He attended Wayne High School, Wayne, New Jersey, and Leichester Junior College, Leichester, Massachusetts. Bill served in the Air National Guard of Maine and was employed as an offshoreman with Offshore Logistics in Louisiana. After Bill married the love of his life, Pearl, in 1976, he left his job with Offshore Logistics to operate, with Pearl, the Fish Barn. He also lobstered and scalloped on his vessel the “Sea Pearl.” Prior to his retirement and move to Greenville, he was employed by Brooksville Elementary School.
Bill enjoyed camping, fishing, hunting, and four-wheeling, and he and Pearl, in the early years traveled to Labrador with camper in tow, and had many camping trips to Gassabias Lake, Deer Lake, and the Moosehead Lake region, which is how they found their love for Greenville. Another favorite pastime was driving the logging roads of the North Maine Woods looking for new camping spots, moose, or other wildlife. In the later years, Spencer Bay became their favorite camping spot where they made numerous new friends.
Bill is survived by Richard Blake of Westbrook, Robert Blake of Sedgwick, Kenneth Ryan and wife, Susie, of Fletchers Landing, Patrick Ryan and wife, Dee, of Brooksville, Timothy Ryan and wife, Donna, of Charlestown, RI, Gerry Ryan and wife, Toni, of Blue Hill, and Sharon (Ryan) Giggey and husband, Dana, of Gray; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife, Pearl, and siblings, Foster Blake Jr. and Kathleen Hazelwood.
Special thanks to the team of devoted caregivers at Cape Memory Care for their tireless dedication and loving care, and whose kindness brought comfort and peace to Bill and his family.
A private celebration of life will be held at a later date.
Those who desire may make memorial contributions in Bill’s memory to Purpleville (purpleville.org), an organization supporting people living with dementia and their caregivers.
Online condolence messages can be submitted at the Poitras Funeral Homes website, www.mainefuneral.com
Arrangements have been entrusted to Poitras Funeral Homes, www.mainefuneral.com