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Peter Sarazin Blake, age 77, died peacefully at home on the morning of May 8th, 2024 with his loving wife Donna by his side.

Born Oct 18th, 1946, to Maxine and Warner Blake in Minneapolis, MN, Peter attended St. Joseph grade school, Benilde High School, studied theater at the University of Minnesota, and earned a Master of Education from the University of Washington. Peter lived with an infectious enthusiasm and a great attitude.

In 1970, he moved from Minneapolis to Seattle, where he married and had two children. By 1980 his three siblings and his mother migrated to Seattle, joining Peter and his family. The love between the siblings was pure and infectious. For the decades to come, family parties were pillars of their calendar year.

Music was the throughline. He was an entertainer. Throughout his life, he learned, wrote, and performed folk songs at parties, pubs, festivals, and street fairs. He sang at friends' weddings, funerals, birthday parties, and retirement parties. His band, Mountain Thyme, played for four decades with the same membership (Dick Ramsey, Rob Orton, Skip Nelson, Sara Blake) and grew from a band into a band family. His last public performance was with his son Robert at the Subdued Stringband Jamboree in 2021.

Peter was a Kindergarten Teacher in the Lake Washington School District for many years. Former students reached out to him throughout his life, reminding him of the songs they sang together.

In 1990, Peter married Donna Lynn Fry and moved to the countryside near Monroe, WA where he was active in the community theater, taught at the Sky Valley Educational Center, and volunteered at the food bank. As a couple, they enjoyed road trips, camping, live music, and built a warm and welcoming home.

In 2004 Peter made his first and only trip to Ireland, the country whose music he celebrated all his life. He entered Matt Malloy’s Pub in Westport, County Mayo and asked when the music would start. The publican responded, “When you start singing.” And he did.

In 2017, Peter and Donna moved to Bellingham, WA where they lived a quiet life and enjoyed frequent visits from daughter Sara and grandson Logan.

Peter is preceded in death by his dear sister Sara who was both a bandmate (harmonica) and his Irish-twin and by bandmate Skip Nelson (bass). Peter is survived by his wife Donna, daughter Sara (Steve), son Robert, grandchildren Logan & Lena, brother Warner (Karen), sister Nancy (Ross), bandmates Dick (banjo) & Rob (guitar), beloved family and dear friends.

An Irish Wake will be held July 21st at 3pm at The Bellingham Circus Guild. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Bellingham/Monroe Food Banks.

He was quick to laugh and quick to care. He was loved and beloved. He was well respected and is well remembered. His final words were, “I hope I was fun.”