Obituary of Willy Albert Blake

Willy Albert Blake, 80, of San Francisco, CA passed away on June 13, 2023, at his home in West Sacramento, CA. Beloved husband of Bonnie Blake; loving father of Anna Pepito (Ernesto), Maura Do (Pascal), Linda Freund (Peter), Ezra Patentrger (Kimberly), and Avery Patentreger (Rani), and grandfather of Leo Pepito, Lea Pepito, Ella Do, Arias Freund, Lauren Patentreger, Jonathan Patentreger, and Joshua Patenteger.

Willy was born in Paris, France during World War II to Moszek and Esthere Patentreger, Jewish immigrants from Poland. When he was eight months old, his 12-year-old sister fled with him from Paris to the French countryside where they remained in hiding from the Nazis until the end of the war. As a teenager, Willy emigrated from Paris to New York City. He served in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War.  

Willy worked as a real estate agent at Pacifica Realty in San Francisco for several decades. He also drove for Yellow Cab Of San Francisco and worked as a taxi dispatcher at the San Francisco International Airport where he was active in the union.

A practicing Nichiren Daishonin Buddhist with SGI-USA, Willy was known for his calm and joyful manner. Willy enjoyed chanting, community meetings, and moderating study groups on questions of karma, enlightenment, and the tradition of Buddhist humanism. 

Willy loved spending quality time with his family, and sugary treats and was always quick to laugh. He enjoyed caring for the many pets that shared his home, including three Bengal cats which he walked throughout his neighborhood on a long leash. Willy is already deeply missed.

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