Obituary

Allan Bruce Blakely

A kind, decent man with a heart of gold, Allan Bruce Blakely of Cumberland passed away on August 9, 2024, with his loving wife at his side.

Born in Patterson, New Jersey, on August 10, 1950, Allan was a graduate of Fairlawn High School in Bergen County, New Jersey. In 1968, he enlisted in the Air Force. He served as a communications specialist in Germany and was honorably discharged in 1971.

Two years later he took a job at New Jersey Bell Telephone, later known as Verizon. He worked there for three decades in both New Jersey and Virginia, where he transferred in 2001, when he moved to Cumberland.

After retiring from the phone company in 2002, he continued working part-time as a park ranger at Bear Creek Lake State Park. Otherwise, he was finally able to follow his passion?and lifelong dream?of becoming a farmer.

Rather than buying an existing farm, Allan made his own, pouring his sweat into the red clay of Cumberland County and carving out a thriving free range black angus beef operation. Allan was seldom idle; and there wasn't a day that went by that didn't find him installing fence posts, fixing an irrigation system, or tinkering with the many tractors that he both loathed and loved.

In addition to farming, Allan was a dedicated member of American Legion Post 269 in Cumberland. For more than two decades, he served the post in nearly every capacity, including commander, adjutant, secretary and treasurer. He also donated money and spent countless volunteer hours fixing the American Legion Hall, seeing to it the Post could continue to fulfill its mission of helping veterans and supporting the community.

In August of 2023, before ill health forced him to step away from his duties, he received a certificate honoring his fifty-three years of continuous membership in the American Legion.

Allan is survived by his wife, Joan, whom he cherished every day through twenty-eight years of marriage and forty plus years of friendship; children, Kristen Agens (Joseph), Kerry Haase (Gary), and David Blakely (April); bonus daughter Melissa Taylor (Bradley); and seven grandchildren, who lovingly referred to him as "Papa."

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Allan's memory to American Legion Post 269, Cumberland, Virginia.

When I die give what's left of me away

to children and old men that wait to die.

And if you need to cry,

cry for your brother walking the street beside you.

And when you need me, put your arms around anyone

and give them what you need to give me.

I want to leave you something,

something better than words or sounds.

Look for me in the people I've known or loved,

and if you cannot give me away,

at least let me live in your eyes and not in your mind.

You can love me best by letting hands touch hands,

and by letting go of children that need to be free.

Love doesn't die, people do.

So, when all that's left of me is love, give me away.»(Do not delete this line. It does not print. Text that is to appear on web must be entered before this line)