S. Prestley Blake ‘a giant of a man’ remembered for drive, energy by wife, Helen

The drive that made S. Prestley Blake — and the Friendly’s chain he founded with his brother, Curtis, in the depths of the Great Depression — a success didn’t waiver, even in Blake’s final weeks.

“Pres was always in command, right up until the last minute,” his wife of 38 years, Helen, said Friday. “The most dreaded words every morning were ‘I have an idea’.”

Because Pres’ ideas, Helen said, turned into projects and instructions that sent her and Pres’ loyal friends and staff off on adventures they wouldn’t have dreamt of on their own.

“He was a giant of a man with steel will and immense energy,” Helen Blake said. “He accomplished. He couldn’t even stop if he wanted to. He had to be busy all the time — which meant the rest of us were busy all the time.”

Blake died Thursday in a Florida hospital at the age of 106.

Eighty-six years ago, in the summer of 1935, the Blake brothers started Friendly — the apostrophe s was added later — with a small loan from their mother who feared they’d be unable to find summer jobs.

Curtis was 18 and Pres was 20.

Friendly's co-founder Curtis Blake — Blake brothers Curtis, left, and S. Prestley at the Taste of Springfield in 1985.The Republican file

Curtis died in 2019 at 102.

The brothers reconciled late in life after years of disagreements. But both left a mark on Greater Springfield that extended past Friendly’s onto college campuses, health-care and cultural institutions.

For Pres, that meant support of Western New England University where the law school building bears the Blake name, his support of Springfield College and of what’s now Bay Path University.

At Springfield College, his $2 million donation in 2006 renamed the former Wilbraham Hall as Herbert P. Blake Hall, in honor of his late father.

In September 1973, Pres was a major contributor towards the College’s Physical Education Complex, which included the naming of Blake Field, the college said.

“We were saddened to learn of Pres Blake’s passing. He was a great friend of Springfield College, and his philanthropy enriched and opened possibilities for thousands of students. While we accept this news with sadness, we also acknowledge a life very well lived with immense gratitude that we were a part of it,” Springfield College President Mary-Beth Cooper

Over the decades, Blake’s philanthropy also extended to Bates College, American International College, Springfield Technical Community College, Clarke School for the Deaf, Springfield Library and Museums, former CityStage, Greenfield YMCA, Springfield Jewish Community Centers, Quinnipiac University, Wilbraham & Monson Academy, Somers Education Foundation, Somers Library, Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts, and Northfield Mount Hermon School.

Blake himself explained his philanthropy once, saying:

“Instead of being the richest man in the cemetery, we can enjoy the fruits of our success by giving it to good causes.”

Helen Blake said his work now falls to her.

“My mission has been to keep him happy and alive,” she said. “From now on, my mission is going to be to finish the things that we started together.”

The ongoing projects include Hillsdale College’s creation of the Blake Center for Faith and Freedom on the Blake Family property in Somers.

Hillsdale, a conservative school based in Michigan, has acquired 90 acres in Somers, including a replica of Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello. Pres Blake, a boyhood admirer of Jefferson, had the mansion constructed in 2015 as his “swan song” project.

Blake Monticello — S. Prestley Blake, left, and contractor Bill Laplante during the construction of the Monticello in Somers, Conn. in 2014. (The Republican file photo) Staff-Shot

Helen Blake said she’s also excited to participate in the completion of the S. Prestley and Helen Blake Ambulatory Care Center at the Johnson Memorial Hospital Enfield Campus.

In 2019, the couple donated $10 million to the Saint Francis Foundation for the center. It was the largest gift ever dedicated specifically to Johnson Memorial Hospital, a member of Trinity Health Of New England, the hospital said at the time.

Helen Blake said she also looks forward to the naming of the gym at the new Longmeadow Adult Center after Pres. The couple led a fundraising challenge for the center.

Pres. Blake leaves two children — son, Benson P. Blake, and daughter, Nancy Blake Yankakis — and three stepchildren. A stepdaughter died before him.

Helen Blake said there will be a funeral next week for the family and they are considering hosting a more public memorial service once COVID-19 restrictions are eased.

Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno said Friday that he is saddened at Blake’s passing.

“My sympathy, thoughts, prayers, and encouragement go out to his wife Helen, and family and friends. I had the pleasure to get to know Mr. Blake or as he would say, ‘you are my friend call me ‘Pres’’, later on in his life. I remember fondly spending time with him during his 100th birthday celebration, at our Springfield Museums and his ‘Monticello’ property. ‘Pres’ was an old school self-made man with his simple values of hard work and your word is your bond. He had an iron handshake and was passionate about giving back to his community. A sharp, shrewd and visionary businessman who valued and preached the importance of great customer service and product that was family-friendly and affordable,” Sarno stated. “He understood that having a loyal and dedicated workforce was the key to his and Friendly’s success. His philanthropic giving was second-to-none. He generously donated millions and millions of dollars towards the betterment of our Springfield community and beyond. Thank you ‘Pres’. You will be missed but your legacy of a life well-lived will live on. I am sure there will be a hamburger set-up, milkshake, and a sundae waiting for you up in heaven.”

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