Blair Caldwell Blakley, husband, father, grandfather, uncle, great- uncle and friend, left us on October 16, 2012. He will be forever remembered in the hearts of his wife Pat, his son Brent (Becky) of Radium Hot Springs, daughter Kerrie (Glen) of Sparwood, B.C., step-sons Barry (Elise) of Victoria, B.C., Ian (Kris) of Ottawa, Ontario, and Stephen (Pam) of Germany, his brother Herb (Peggy) of Invermere, 13 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, great-nieces/nephews, and too many great friends to count. Blair was predeceased by his parents, Jessie and John, brother Jock and his first wife, Madeline.

Blair grew up in Radium, where his parents operated the Radium Hot Springs Hotel. With Madeline, he built and operated the Mt. Farnham Bungalows. In 1946, he took over his father’s Dodge dealership in Radium, relocating the dealership to Invermere in 1966. In turn, his son Brent took over the dealership on Blair’s retirement in 1984. Blair was an avid skier, joining the Panorama ski patrol first as a volunteer in 1972, and after retiring, as a pro, staying involved with the patrol until 2011. Renowned as a local pilot, Blair could often be found at remote mountain lakes with his Super Cub float plane, or in Mexico with his Bonanza. Blair loved the back-country and one of his greatest pleasures was showing others, by horseback or plane, the area he loved so much. Blair was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion and the Masonic Hall.

The family wishes to express their thanks to the physicians and staff at the Invermere District Hospital where Blair spent the last few weeks of his life.

A celebration of Blair’s life was held on Tuesday, October 23, 2012, at the Christ Church Trinity in Invermere. In lieu of flowers, friends may wish to make donations, in memory of Blair, to the Neurological Sciences Foundation of Canada (Phone 403-229-9544 www.canadahelps.org/DonationDetails.aspx).