John Blake Passes

[wgliradio]

I found out that long time Long Island engineer John Blake passed away sometime over the weekend. Cause unknown.

John worked at WBAB AM/FM and later (these I know for sure....) WNYG, WGLI, WRIV, WYFA, WXBA, WSHR and WGBB.

 

[wgliradio]

BLAKE - John A., a Long Island resident for more than 60 years, died on December 26. He was 69. Blake, who was born in Santa Monica, California on February 8, 1939, served honorably in the United States Army Signal Corps from 1961 to 1964. As the honor graduate of his training, he was assigned as a Radar instructor at Fort Monmouth, NJ. A parishioner at St. Joseph's Church in Babylon for decades, Blake was a lifelong enthusiast of electrical engineering, which began with his obtaining a "ham" amateur radio license at the age of only 14. Blake helped to bring joy and quality of life to millions through his talent and skills in electronics, both as an engineer at several popular area radio stations, and through his self-employment as a consultant to the cellular communications industry. He was also an avid boater. He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Ellen; son and daughter-in-law, Matthew and Jennifer; grandchildren, Christina, Michael, Alyssa, and Anthony; and brother, Robert.

 

[Ed B]

John Blake was one of the main players in the start of WEBE 108 FM.
I had worked with John here at WEBE 108 back in the day under the old ownership
before Cumulus. Rest in peace John.

 

[bobbuchmann]

John Blake was a mad scientist who loved am and fm radio. He was BAB's CE when I arrived in 1979, and masterminded BAB's best tower ever at the Dix Hills Water Tower, where it's little Class A signal became a monster. That was short-lived when the water authority realized it didn't have the authority to rent space on their property to BAB. So, John found the next best place: the LIE @ Deep Park Avenue. Signal was no where near as good but way better than the one we started with in West Babylon. He did all these things to help a Class A "go farther" and sound better. I'll never forget and always admire him.

Bob Buchmann
WBAB VP/Programming 1979-1999

 

[Vince Cremona]

John was a good one of a kind. I remember when we needed to move WEBE 108's stick from a bad location a better one was hard to comed by. In the face of all experts telling us we could not mount on the side of a almost 500 ft smokestack in downtown Bridgeport (hostile enviroment etc.) John said " Yes we can". Thanks to him and Ed Butler we did & created the best signal in Conneccticut. I visualize him now working on interplanetary connections. God speed John. - Vince Cremona GM WEBE 108 back in the day...

 

[Neal]

I just read about johns Passing on Fybush.com
I first met John when I was just a Kid interning at WGBB. He was a Mentor to me
in Electronics and Amateur radio
If I am Not mistaken while Going to school at Farmingdale University.
Conrad Trautmann of now westwood One, was also doing an internship under John at WBAB.
Bringing back Memorys of WATC Carrier Current station at Farmingdale.
where John tried to Help us.
Over the Years of mentoring Future engineers, Conrad and I are the Only 2 that are still in Broadcasting.
that I can think of.
John you will be missed. Rest in peace...

Neal