Date de Décès: 2003-09-06
Date de Parution: 2003-09-10
Source: The Standard, St. Catharines, ON
HARLEY, Dr. Blake Minor, Local Dentist Known for His Outstanding Art and Love of Life Dr. Blake Minor Harley will be remembered as a loving husband and father, an outstanding artist, a dedicated dentist, and a lover of life. Blake Harley, 77, died w ith his family around him, of heart failure, on Saturday, September 6, 2003. Dr. Harley was born in St. Catharines on March 20, 1926, and lived his entire life in the area. He graduated from St. Catharines Collegiate High School in 1945 and from the School of Dentistry at the University of Toronto in 1950. Shortly after, he opened his successful dental practice in St. Catharines. During his time in Toronto, Blake met and courted Lillian Mary Smith. Marrying in 1950, together they raised their th ree sons, Brent, Brad and Blair and their daughter, Briar. He actively participated in the children's upbringing and their various endeavours. Blake and Lillian were instrumental in triggering the redevelopment of Port Dalhousie. Dr. John Jackson's b ook, St. Catharines, Canada's Canal City recognizes their identification of the architectural and historic value of the old canal buildings and their renovation of the Murphy Building, proved to be the catalyst to the area's resurgence. Blake was ver y involved in the St. Catharines' art scene, acting as President of the St. Catharines Art Association in the 1960s and sitting on the Board of Governors of the Rodman Hall Arts Centre for many years. He was an accomplished artist with an uncanny abi lity to capture the quality of a character, the magic of the moment and the delicacy of the setting. His paintings are only just now receiving the recognition that he so richly deserves. Twice, the Canadian Dental Association used his work for their Journal's magazine cover. Blake had a passion for the outdoors. He was an avid environmentalist, fisherman and hunter, and in retirement, Blake worked his farm with a focus on the growth of heritage apples. He is survived by his wife Lillian; son Bre nt Harley of Whistler, BC, with his wife Nancy and their children Paige and Chase; Brad Harley of Toronto Island, with his wife Anne and their children Merle and Theo; Blair Harley of St. Catharines, with his wife Shannon and their children Sam and J ack, and Briar Maynard Harley of Bournemouth, England, with her husband Stephan Maynard. Blake is predeceased by his brother Harry Harley and is survived by his brother Rodgers Harley and his sister Barbara Wardell. The family wishes to sincerely tha nk Dr. Kim, Dr. Pallie, Dr. Whitty and the staff of the St. Catharines General Hospital. According to Blake's wishes, cremation has taken place and donations, in lieu of flowers, should be made to the Rodman Hall Arts Centre. A gathering to commemora te Blake's life will be held at the family farm on Saturday, September 13, 2003, at 12:00 with a memorial celebration to be held at 1:00 p.m. Arrangements entrusted to PASSFIELD MORTUARY SERVICES, 905-682-0474. 9/10/2003- ID2596746 - St. Catharines Standard