Jesse Donald Blake

Jesse Donald “Don” Blake of Dunkirk, MD passed during the early morning hours of Monday, September 12, 2022, at the age of 79 years. Don was born in Sophia, WV, the son of Margaret Ann Blake and Jesse Donald Blake. He attended and graduated from Sophia High School, Class of 1960.

Don served in the U.S. Air Force from 1961-1967, spending time in Alaska, Germany, and Pakistan.  Once honorably discharged from the military, he began his career as an engineer for a multinational telecommunications provider, where he spent the next 38 years until he retired.

Don was known for his great sense of humor and was considered the life of the party. You could always find him with a smile on his face, joking around. He loved to dance so it is only fitting that he met the love of his life, Cheryl, at a nightclub. Some of his other hobbies included attending NASCAR races, practicing his golf game, reading, and taking care of his dog. 

He was the beloved husband of the late Cheryl Blake and loving father of Shelley Blake Costa (husband Michael) and adored grandfather of Gianna, Stella, and Dominic Costa. Don is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and extended family. 

All Services will be private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Don’s memory to either the Alzheimer’s Association, 8180 Greensboro Drive, Suite 400, McClean, VA 22102, online at https://www.alz.org/nca/donate; or the Charlotte Hall Veterans Home, 29449 Charlotte Hall Road, Charlotte Hall, MD 20622, online at https://www.charhall.org/content/donations/.