It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Blake Baile, CMM, CD, on Saturday, October 11, after a short stay in the hospital at the age of 86. Blake was born in Trail, BC on June 9, 1928, and later moved to Vancouver. Blake was commissioned in the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada in 1949, and in 1950 joined the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment and served with that unit in Petawawa, Fort Lewis, Korea, London, and Soest, Germany in appointments of platoon commander, assistant adjutant, intelligence officer and adjutant.
Prior to attending the Canadian Army Staff College in 1957 he served in HQ 1 Canadian Infantry Brigade in Germany and Edmonton and subsequently at the Canadian Services College Royal Roads as Army Staff Officer and Squadron Commander.
He returned to 2nd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment in London, Ontario, in 1961 in the appointments of company commander and operations officer. During the period 1964 - 66 in Army Headquarters and later Canadian Forces Headquarters he was a staff officer in the Directorates of Equipment Policy and Project Formulation and Management.
Posted to Germany in 1966 he held the appointment of Commanding Officer 2nd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment until 1968. That summer he became Assistant Chief of Staff G1 at Headquarters ACE Mobile Force (Land) in Seckenheim, Germany. Returning to Canada in 1970 he was SSO Doctrine at Mobile Command Headquarters in St. Hubert, PQ.
In June 1973, he was promoted to Colonel and assumed the appointment of Deputy Chief of Staff Personnel Services at Air Transport Command Headquarters in Trenton, ON. Remaining in Trenton he was appointed Deputy Chief of Staff Operations in Canadian Forces Training System Headquarters in August 1975.
Promoted to Brigadier-General in August 1976, he was appointed Commander, Canadian Contingent to the United Nations Forces in the Middle East. Returning to Canada in July 1978 he became Chief of Staff Administration in Mobile Command Headquarters in St. Hubert, PQ. The following year he was appointed Chief of Staff Operations in the same headquarters.
In August 1980 he moved to Yellowknife, NWT to assume his final appointment in the Canadian Armed Forces as Commander Northern Region Headquarters. Blake retired in 1983 and moved to Blind Bay, BC. In retirement, he became an avid golfer and fisherman, and was an active member of the Shuswap Lake Estates Golf and Country Club.
Left to mourn him are his wife and best friend Helen; children, Dr. Marcia Baile of Anglemont, BC; Geoffrey Baile of Chilliwack, BC; Colin Baile (Liz) of Yellowknife NWT; step-children Sally and Les Schumacher of Blind Bay, BC; and, Dr. Norman and MariAnn Mathew of Comox, BC, plus numerous grandchildren, step-grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
Per Blake’s request, there will be no memorial service. Cremation has taken place. In lieu of flowers, donations should be made to the War Amputees of Canada (http://www.waramps.ca/donation.html).
Online condolences may be sent through Blake’s obituary at www.bowersfuneralservice.com