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DELRAY BEACH — Blake Edward Vance of Delray Beach died Oct. 5, surrounded by family, after courageously battling a glioblastoma brain tumor. He was 83.
Mr. Vance was a loving husband, father, brother and friend and will be remembered for his quick, inquisitive mind, wonderful sense of humor and kind and loving spirit.
Mr. Vance was extremely proud of his Canadian heritage and family. Born on a farm in Aberarder, Ontario, he told wonderful stories of the fun and mischief he had with his siblings growing up on the farm. This was the foundation for his lifelong love of family, strong work ethic and high standards he set for himself and all he knew.
Mr. Vance’s career in academic publishing took him around the world, where he worked for D. Reidel Publishing, Addison Wesley, Harcourt Brace Jovanovich and CRC Press. His career was distinguished by his work with a Nobel laureate, Pope John Paul II and the many textbooks he helped publish while working with the world’s leading scientists, mathematicians and academicians.
After his career in publishing, he became a licensed personal property appraiser and started his own company, South Florida Appraisals.
In addition to having an active mind, Mr. Vance loved to be physically active. He was known to ride his bike 15 miles a day on a regular basis. When he turned 80, he competed in a 50-kilometer bike race in Canada and finished second in his division. He also loved to play tennis, fish, hike, ski, swim and volunteer. One of his legacies will include teaching all of his children and grandchildren how to play cribbage. He was competitive to the end — never giving up a muggins even to the youngest player.
Mr. Vance is survived by his wife of 35 years, Elizabeth (Bessie), his daughters Katherine Harunk and Mary Kim Brock, stepchildren Sarah Klein and Gardner Smith and siblings including his twin sister, Beth Gingrich, brother Scott Stevenson and youngest sister, Sydney Jones.
He was predeceased by his first wife, Susan Mary, sister Patricia Gamble and his parents, Bessie Jeannette MacKinlay and Blake Evans Vance. He also leaves a legacy of nine grandchildren and one great-granddaughter and many nieces and nephews, all who adored him and shared his love of candy.
A memorial service was held Oct. 12 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Delray Beach. In lieu of flowers, donations in his honor may be made to Paul’s Place afterschool, where he volunteered for many years. Tax-deductible donations may be sent to Paul’s Place, 188 S. Swinton Ave., Delray Beach, FL 33444, Attention: Kathy Fazio in memory of Blake Vance.
— Obituary submitted by the family