NORTH ADAMS, Mass. - Russell Gordon Blake Sr., 71, of North Adams, Mass., died Saturday, December 28, 2019, at Berkshire Medical Center.

He was born in Williamstown, Mass., on May 7, 1948, son of Harry and Ilona (Harwood) Blake. He attended schools in Williamstown and graduated from McCann Technical High School.

Russell was last employed by the North Adams Housing Authority. Before that he worked at Mt. Greylock Regional High School, served as an auxiliary police officer for the town of Williamstown, and bartended at the North Adams VFW for many years.

He was a communicant of St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church. Russell was also a member of the North Adams Elks and the Sons of the American Legion. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening and serving as "Slider," the mascot for the North Adams SteepleCats baseball team.

Survivors include two sons, Russell Gordon Blake Jr. of Old Orchard Beach, Maine, and John L. Blake and his wife, Heidi, of Clarksburg; four grandchildren, including Natasha Blake, Nathan Blake, Hannah Blake and Hope Blake; one great-grandson, Lincoln LeConey; one sister, Sarah Felix of North Adams; his former wife, Irene Rose Shea of Clarksburg; and nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by one brother and one sister, including Karen Donnelly and Harry Blake.

Funeral notice: The funeral for Russell Blake will be Thursday January 2, 2020, at 6 p.m. at FLYNN & DAGNOLI-MONTAGNA HOME FOR FUNERALS CENTRAL CHAPEL, 74 Marshall St. North Adams, Mass. Burial will be at a later date. Calling hours at the funeral home are Thursday from 4 to 6 p.m. Memorial donations may be made to the Eleanor Sonsini Animal Shelter in care of the funeral home.