Michael John Blake Sr was an adventurous, resilient, fiercely loyal and hardworking man. Michael passed away on June 6, 2026, doing exactly what he loved, enjoying a concert at Red Rocks surrounded by a close friend and two of his children.

Michael spent his career as a project manager in the construction industry, where he was a master at solving complex problems. Most recently, he was incredibly proud of his work that would be building a much-needed water treatment plant on a Navajo reservation in New Mexico.

To say Michael was determined would be an understatement. A friend recently described him as a "hammerhead shark." If you look that up, it says they are masterful at tracking down what's hidden and are tactical problem solvers. Now, we aren't entirely sure which definition his friend meant because Michael could certainly be a bit "spicy" from time to time, but we're going to assume they meant he was a determined, stubborn problem solver who never gave up.

He had a tough start to life, mostly growing up in foster care, and his rough edges were part of who he was. He wasn't someone who changed easily, and his way of showing love evolved over time. It was rarely about big, emotional speeches; instead, his love was entirely in his actions. It was in the stability he provided, the adventures he planned, his open-door policy for friends, and his immediate readiness to lend a helping hand to anyone in need.

And beneath that gritty exterior was a deeply sentimental heart. Michael never forgot a birthday, anniversary, or holiday, and he constantly reached out to let people know he was thinking of them. He kept everything given to him from others, every letter, card, ticket stub, and photo. He had an open door policy and believed no one should ever be alone on a holiday or unsupported during hard times. He had many roommates throughout the years, mostly people transitioning from one part of their life to another, he always had an extra room just in case someone needed it.

He worked hard and he played hard. In the last year, he was biking through Boston, mountain biking, skiing, golfing, and volunteering at the local food bank, he lived life fully. He loved hosting barbecues, attending sporting events, playing softball, working on his property and inviting anyone and everyone to join the fun, whether they were lifelong friends or someone he had just met.

Michael is survived by his children, Michael Jr, Marissa Pryor, Marcus Blake; his son-in-law Joey Pryor; his beloved dog Katsu and grand-dog Griffey. We already miss his calls, texts, or random butt-dials, but he is still making us laugh every day through our memories and the endless stories from the people who loved him.

Please visit Michael's memorial page to share your memories, stories, and photos. Let's celebrate a man who truly knew how to live.

The family will be hosting a celebration of life this summer in WA. You can follow the memorial page for updates.