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David Robert Blake
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Banker, MLA (1971-1973), MLA (1973-1977), MLA (1977-1981), MLA (1982-1986), MLA (1986-1988).
Born on the family farm near Rapid City on 20 March 1925, son of William and Isabella Blake, in 1941, he joined the Royal Bank of Canada until enlisting the following year in the Royal Canadian Air Force and training as a navigator. He did not serve overseas, but continued his military service after the war as Captain and Paymaster with the Armed Forces 6th Field Engineer Regiment in Winnipeg. He returned to the bank and in a career that spanned 41 years, he served many communities throughout Manitoba most notably Glenboro, Selkirk, Swan River and Minnedosa. Posted to Flin Flon in 1948, he met and married Gwen Bergman on 16 August 1951.
He was a Mason and Shriner for over 20 years. He curled, shot skeet, was a Rotarian and a dedicated member of Ducks Unlimited. He served as Chairman of the Industrial Commission of Selkirk. He was Past-President of the Royal Canadian Legion Branches in both Selkirk and Minnedosa and of the Kiwanis Clubs in Selkirk and Swan River, and after several years with the Manitoba Chamber of Commerce, was elected President in 1970-1971.
In November 1971, upon the request of former Progressive Conservative Premier Walter Weir, he stood for election to a provincial legislature, being re-elected in 1973, 1977, 1982, and 1986. He also acted as Caucus Chairman, Chairman of Public Accounts and was on the Board of Directors of Autopac and Mackenzie Seeds. In 1977, he received a Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal. He retired in 1988.
He died on 25 February 2008.
Obituary, Winnipeg Free Press, 27 February 2008.
This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.
Page revised: 18 November 2023
Memorable Manitobans
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