George W. Bill Blake

George W. “Bill” Blake, of Block Island, died Tuesday. He was the beloved husband of Marion (Gorsky) Blake for 60 years. Mr. Blake taught English at Rockland Community College for over 20 years, retiring as Professor of English in 1988. An accomplished writer, he had many poems and stories published in the Kansas Quarterly and authored the book, “A Woman Who Loved to Shop”. His greatest writing accomplishment was receiving the award for the best American Short Story in 1967, titled “A Place Not on the Map”, which also earned the O’Henry Award in 1968. He followed his father's legacy by serving in the United States Marines, serving honorably during World War II in the Pacific and the occupancy of Japan. Mr. Blake was a Deacon at his church in New York, taking the youth group on trips, serving meals to the hungry, and counseling people with AIDS. Besides his wife, he is survived by a sister, Beverly McCabe of the Finger Lakes Region in upstate New York. He was predeceased by a son, Courtney John Blake in 1992, and two brothers. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday, July 2nd at 12 Noon in St. Andrew Catholic Church, Chapel Street, Block Island. Burial will follow in Island Cemetery. Visiting Hours are Monday July 1st at the Avery-Storti Funeral Home, 88 Columbia Street, Wakefield, Monday, 4-7 PM.