CAMDEN — Peter Lawrence Blake, 83, passed away unexpectedly Friday, December 3, 2021 at the Sussman House in Rockport following a challenging hospitalization.

Peter was born January 30, 1938 in Auburn California to Andrew Cobb Blake and Katherine Elizabeth (Betty) Perot Blake. He was the second of four boys. After his father died unexpectedly, Betty married Duane Doolittle, a professor of economics at Syracuse University, and the family relocated to upstate New York.

Overt the next few years, Duane, a Boothbay native, brought them all to Maine for the summer before finally settling in at Merrymeeting Farm in Lincolnville. The family hosted numerous regular summer guests, held square dances in their barn, and started DownEast Magazine at their kitchen table.

Peter, (aka “Dreamboat”) attended Camden High School, played the cymbals in the band, devilled the local cops with his brothers in their Jeep, and graduated in 1955. The following April he joined Exton Guckes and crew aboard the Malabar II for an extraordinary transatlantic voyage to Spain and back. After this great adventure, he enrolled in Principia, his forebears’ alma mater, graduating in 1959 with a degree in Business and Financial Management.

Following a brief stint in the U.S. Marine Corps, Peter began his professional career in New York City with Fahnestock & Co., before transferring to Chicago where he continued to work as a Certified Financial Analyst and investment broker for 27 years. After working for Fahnestock & Co., he joined R.W. Baird for a number of years, though he continued to visit Camden regularly as manager of the family’s Harbor Square Properties.

In 1994, Peter was offered the opportunity to manage the A.G. Edwards office in Camden, and was able to purchase the house owned by Exton Guckes. It was then that he returned “home.”

In true Peter fashion, he wasted absolutely no time getting more involved in the community he loved. He was involved in numerous town committees and downtown business groups. He was a board member and president of the Chamber of Commerce, Chairman of the first Windjammer Weekend Committee, a member of the Camden Rotary Club, Midcoast Forum on Foreign Relations, Camden Yacht Club, Megunticook Country Club, MS Walk, and anywhere else he could be of service.

Peter was a special person. Those who knew him will remember his caring and generous nature, as well as his humor, twinkling blue eyes, impish smile, and very loud sneezes.

Predeceased by his parents, his step-father, older brother Merritt, and several dear friends; he is survived by his wife, Susan Scholz Blake; his son, Christopher Oakley Blake; his brothers Fred Perot Blake and Andrew Cobb Blake; extended family members; plus two dogs, two cats, and a number of people he loved dearly.

Per Peter’s request, there will be no services. His ashes will be scattered at the family’s convenience.

Bye Lovey.

To share a memory or condolence with Peter’s family, please visit their Book of Memories at bchfh.com

Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland.