Peter Blake
Waterford — Peter Thomas Blake, 25, of Waterford, passed away at home Dec. 31, 2023. He was born Jan. 19, 1998, in Hartford. He grew up in Simsbury and graduated from Simsbury High School and the Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts in 2016. He was a member of Boy Scout Troop 73 in Simsbury and played on Simsbury Little League baseball teams. He served as an acolyte at Saint Albans Episcopal Church in Simsbury. He was an active member of the youth group at the First Church of Christ in Simsbury in high school and he served as a member of the parish youth band.
Peter was a self-employed musician who played the upright bass and the electric bass guitar. Peter was most alive when he played his upright bass, usually as part of a jazz ensemble, at venues all across Connecticut. He performed professionally in jazz ensembles at clubs, restaurants, concert halls and special occasions. He took part in open-mic nights at Black Eyed Sally’s in Hartford with his musician friends. Peter loved to listen to all genres of music. He was an avid reader of manga novels. He was a fan of the NBA’s New York Knickerbockers and the University of Rhode Island Rams men’s college basketball team and attended many home games with his dad at the Ryan Center. He loved his childhood dog, Lucas. He shared a joy of cooking with his mom and often showed off his prowess by cooking steak, his favorite meal.
Peter will always be in our hearts. He was gentle, quiet, creative and generous. We are thankful for the gift of his life.
Survivors include his mother Kay Ellen Bernardo and her husband James Bernardo of Waterford; his father Christopher G. Blake of Westerly, R.I.; two sisters, Jessica Marzi of Granby, and Caroline Schaedel of Simsbury; and his niece Molly Marzi; and his nephew Treadwell Marzi of Granby; his maternal grandfather; and many aunts and uncles. He adored his niece and his nephew.
Calling hours will take place from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 12, at the Impellitteri-Malia Funeral Home, 84 Montauk Ave., New London. A funeral service will take place Saturday at 10 a.m. at the Niantic Baptist Church, 443 Main St., Niantic. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to a scholarship fund the family has set up to benefit young musicians through Chelsea Groton Bank: Chelsea Groton Bank, 157 Boston Post Road, Waterford, CT 06385. Email: tbonanno@chelseagroton.com. To make a donation via Venmo @PTB_ MemorialFund.