James Edmund Blake ’47

Jim died May 12, 1999, at the Mercer Medical Center in Hamilton, N.J., after a brave battle with cancer and heart disease.

Born in Trenton, he prepared at Lawrenceville. Jim attended Princeton for two and a half years, majoring in English. He then studied at and graduated as valedictorian of the Latin American Institute of NYC. After graduating he worked for Socony-Vacuum in Venezuela and was involved in the pleasure boat business.

An Army veteran of WWII, he served as sergeant in the 15th Combat Engineers and was awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star.

Jim came to Lawrenceville in 1969 and was associated with the school until his retirement in 1998. He held a variety of positions and most recently was master of English and dramatic arts and manager of the Kirby Arts Center. Jim founded the Faculty Players and was involved in acting and directing many plays. His enormous contributions to Lawrenceville were recognized in a memorial service at the school's chapel.

Jim is survived by two nieces and a nephew. The class extends its deep sympathy to them.

The Class of 1947