EAST MONTPELIER - Richard H. “Dick” Blake, age 95, passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 9, 2026, at Woodridge Nursing Home in Berlin, Vermont.

Born on April 11, 1931, in Tunbridge, Vermont, to Ernest and Olive (Densmore) Blake, Dick lived a long and meaningful life filled with hard work, dedication, friendship, and love for his family and community.

Dick was involved in many things throughout his long and full life. On January 1, 1960, he opened a used car business with his business partner, Bob Loso, known as Blake & Loso. The business dissolved in 1988, and Dick continued his work in the automobile business with Blake’s Southern Cars from 1988 until 2023, when he finally retired at the age of 92.

Dick was a member of the National Grange, later became a member of the Masons with Wyoming Lodge #80, and went on to become an active member of the Shriners for several years.

He was perhaps best known for more than 60 years of bringing his wrecker to Thunder Road. His dedication to Thunder Road and Vermont stock car racing earned him the Ken Squier Award in 1988 and the Thomas K. Curley Memorial Award in 2020.

Dick is survived by his children, Debbie (Blake) Gomez and her husband, Thomas, of Florida; Randy Blake and his partner, Michelle Oviatte, of East Montpelier, Vermont; and Sherry Blake of Barre, Vermont. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Christina (Mascitti) Steele and her husband, Nick, Keith Blake, and Erika Blake; and his great-grandchildren, Chase Folsom, Christian “Blake” Steele, Jayden Steele, Alexis Blake, Houston Pape, and Mikala LaFrance.

He is further survived by his brother, Wendell, and his wife, Marilyn; nephews Greg and his wife, Roxie, Chuck and his wife, Lisa; niece Lynn (Blake) Brochu and her husband, Tom; as well as great-nephews and great-nieces.

The family would like to express heartfelt thanks to Lyndell Davis for her many years of friendship and steadfast love, giving so generously of her time to Dick. She was always there to take him where he needed to be when he could no longer see well enough to drive, and simply for “being” there for him. The family is also grateful to his secretary and friend, Sheila Palmer, who also gave her time and care to Dick prior to his entering the nursing home. Also grateful to his lifelong friend, “Chummy” LaPerle who worked alongside him on the wrecker at Thunder Road for all those years, as well as accompanied him down country to buy cars, and saw him daily while in the nursing home.

Dick was predeceased by his parents, Ernest and Olive Blake; the mother of his children, Donalyn Blake; and his wife, Dixie Blake.

A calling hour will be held on August 26, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., in the Hooker Whitcomb Funeral home, 7 Academy Street, Barre, followed by the funeral service at 11:00 a.m. Burial will take place in the Plain-Mont Cemetery in East Montpelier.