Richard Phillip Blake, 80, of Raleigh, NC, peacefully passed away on May 12, 2024, after a long battle with cancer. He was born on April 26, 1944, in Baltimore City, Maryland.

Rick attended Baltimore City Schools and graduated from Mergenthaler Vocational Tech. After school, his hard work ethic and determination landed him a job with IBM. Rick met Cathie in Colorado and married in 1980. They would have celebrated 44 years on May 31st.

Rick, known as “Captain Rick” started boating at an early age. He always owned a boat at every stage of his life. Most weekends Rick was on the water. He loved to fish, cruise, kayak and scuba dive. After he retired, Rick and Cathie bought a condo in Naples, FL. They spent many wonderful winters in paradise and loved every minute of it.

Rick was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Emily Blake. He is survived by his wife, Cathie of Raleigh, NC; his sons, Robert Blake of TX and Richard (Melissa) Blake Jr. of Finksburg, Maryland. He is also survived by his brother, Edward (Debbie) Blake of Elliot City, Maryland.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, June 7, 2024, at Renaissance Funeral Home, 7615 Six Forks Road, Raleigh, NC 27615. Family and friends are welcome to a reception with refreshments immediately after the service. We invite you to wear tropical colors. It was Rick’s wish that we would laugh, reminisce, and smile together during this time.

The family welcomes either flowers or a donation made in memory of Rick to the Duke Cancer Institute.