John W. Blakeman

John Winston Blakeman, age 96, formerly of Harrington Park & Haworth, N.J., passed away peacefully in East Nassau, N.Y. on December 21, 2025. John was born, and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba, to Jessie Carscadden Blakeman and John Edwin Blakeman. He was predeceased by his beloved wife of almost seventy years, Dorothy, his parents, and his siblings George, Ruth and Betty.

John graduated from the University of Manitoba with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. While a student there he was captain of the hockey team and president of his fraternity, Phi Kappa Pi. Upon graduation from the University of Manitoba, John went to work at the Spruce Falls Power and Paper Company in Kapuskasing, Ontario. John's work in paper quality control led to a career at the New York Times where he held positions related to the production and distribution of newspapers. When he retired from the New York Times in 1991, he was on the financial planning staff.

John was a member of the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Haworth, New Jersey where he served on many church boards and was Treasurer for over twenty years. John was an active volunteer in Haworth. He coached youth hockey and helped with his children's Scout Troops and church youth groups. John, along with his wife Dorothy, delivered Meals on Wheels for many years, and worked with various church missions to shelter and feed the homeless.

John enjoyed tennis and hiking with the Activities Unlimited group of which he was a member and past president. John was a skilled woodworker. His home in Haworth was transformed by his custom-built cabinets, bookshelves, and furniture. He built a mantle for Dorothy's fireplace and made frames for most of her needlework. While a young man, one of his first projects was a fourteen-foot run about boat which he and Dorothy enjoyed on the lakes in Northern Ontario. John's patient, methodical nature combined with his engineering background made it possible for him to repair anything.

John and Dorothy moved to Brookside Village in Harrington Park in 2008 where they enjoyed new friendships and activities, and where John served on the Board of Trustees as president. Following his wife's death, John came to live with his daughter and son-in-law, in East Nassau, N.Y.

John will be remembered as a devoted husband, loving father, grandfather, and great-grandfather as well as a kind, considerate, community-minded gentleman. His loss is mourned by his son, David (Jackie), daughter, Sandra (Andrew) grandchildren, David, Elyssa, Carrie, Michele (Matt) and great-grandchildren John, James, Krystal, Jaclyn, Matt and Misty as well as several great-great grandchildren and nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held in the Spring. The date is to be announced.