Mr. John J. Blake, a longtime officer with the Whitpain Township Police Department and a U.S. Navy veteran, passed away on Saturday, July 12 at Blue Bell Place. He was 86 years old.

A Whitpain Township native and 1957 graduate of Wissahickon High School, Mr. Blake earned his associate’s degree from Montgomery County Community College and continued his education through courses at the College of William and Mary during his time as a Hospital Corpsman in the U.S. Navy, his obituary said.

Prior to his tenure as a Whitpain Township police officer, he worked as a prison guard at Montgomery County Prison and as a school bus driver.

“John found his calling as a Juvenile Officer, eventually rising to the rank of Juvenile Sergeant. Throughout his 30-year career with the Whitpain Police Department, John was passionately involved in youth mentorship, town watch initiatives, and crime prevention programs,” his obituary said. “He was a strong advocate for at-risk youth, working not only with children but also their families. He visited local schools often, championing safety and education, and was a proud instructor of the D.A.R.E. Program.”

Mr. Blake retired from the police force in 1995 and worked for two years as a bodyguard and as a security guard at the Montgomery County Courthouse until his official retirement in 2011, his obituary said.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend John’s viewing and funeral service on Friday, July 18, at the Volpe Funeral Home, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM, with a service to follow at 12:00 PM. Interment with Military Honors will take place at St. Patrick’s Mausoleum.