Blake Edward Vance, 83, of Delray Beach, Florida died peacefully on Saturday October 5, 2019 surrounded by family after courageously battling a Glioblastoma brain tumor. Blake 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.
Blake was extremely proud of his Canadian heritage and family. Born on a farm in Aberarder, Ontario Canada, he told wonderful stories of the fun and mischief he had with his siblings while 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.
Blake'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 text books he helped publish while working with the world's leading scientists, mathematicians and academicians. After his career in publishing, Blake became a licensed personal property appraiser and started his own company, South Florida Appraisals.
In addition to having an active mind, Blake loved to be physically active. He was known to ride his bike 15 miles a day on a regular basis. When Blake turned 80, he competed in a 50-kilometer bike race in Canada and finished 2 ^nd 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. Blake was competitive to the end – never giving up a Muggins even to the youngest player.
Blake is survived by his wife of 35 years, Elizabeth (Bessie), his daughters Katherine Harunk and Mary Kim Brock, step children Sarah Klein and Gardner Smith and siblings including his twin sister Beth Gingrich, brother Scott Stevenson and youngest sister, Sydney Jones. Blake 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 celebrating Blake's life will be on Saturday October 12, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. 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, a mission of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, where he volunteered for many years. Tax deductible donations may be sent to the attention of Kathy Fazio, Executive Director, Paul's Place Afterschool 188 South Swinton Delray Beach, FL 33444 Attention: Kathy Fazio in the memory of Blake Vance. Click here to go to www.PaulsPlaceAfterSchool.com