| Notes |
- Niagara Gazette - 4/11/1935
One of the final chapters in the history
of a group of persons whose romantic
record is interwoven with
memories of early days in Niagara
Falls was written yesterday afternoon
when John J. Blake, veteran hack
driven, died at the home of Mr. and
Mrs. Ernest Sylvia, 546 Twelfth street,
after an illness of several weeks. Mr.
Blake, who was 74 years old, started
driving a hack here in 1901, Pan-
American year, and retired only two
years ago.
A native of Liverpool, England, Mr,
Blake came to Niagara Falls at the
beginning of this century. Because
of his business, he became widely
known throughout the city. He had
escorted to points of interest here
many famous personages from all
parts of the world who came to see
the wonders of Niagara. Even after
the automobile brought an end to the
hack business, he continued to operate
a horse-drawn vehicle and was a familiar
figure In the south end business
section until forced to retire because
of old age two years ago.
Mr. Blake was a member of Unity
Lodge, No. 47, L O. O. F., of Hamilton,
Ont.; Riverdale Rebekah lodge.
No. 195, I. O. O. F., of this city; Niagara
Lodge, No. 686, Loyal Order of
Moose, and the Niagara Falls Exempt
Firemen's association. He is survived
by a daughter, Mrs. Bertram Diamond,
of this city; a son, Stanley H.
Blake, of Arizona, and a niece, Mrs.
Joseph Hurst, of this city. Eight
grandchildren and three great-grandchildren
also survive.
Funeral services will be held under
the auspices of Niagara Falls Lodge,
No. 81, L O. O. F at the Bell funeral
chapel, 635 Main street, at 3 p.
ra., Saturday. Tho Rev. A. C Vah-
Raalte, pastor of the First Presbyterlsn
church, will officiate. Interment
win be made in Riverdale cemetery.
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1860 - 1935 (~ 74 years)