Benjamin Dominic Blake, affectionately known as “Bengie,” was born on June 12, 1940, in Bonthe, Sierra Leone, to the late Alfonsus Dominic Blake and Mary (née Sando) Blake.
Bengie was educated in Sierra Leone as a pharmacist and even opened his own drug store in Liberia. His enterprising spirit later took him to the United States where he quickly rose to senior executive roles within a pharmaceutical firm there.
Guided by a deep sense of duty to his homeland, Bengie returned for a time to Sierra Leone, serving as a trusted advisor and confidante to President Alhaji Ahmad Tejan Kabbah and maintaining a close bond with Sierra Leone’s first native Catholic Archbishop, Joseph Henry Ganda.
Bengie dedicated himself to numerous organizations and causes–He was a founding member of Tegloma Federation Inc., the largest Sierra Leonean nonpolitical organization in the diaspora. As well as the Pujehun District Descendants Association (PDDA), the Old Bo School Boys Association (OBBA), the Bonthe Descendants Group Association, and the Knights of Columbus in the Catholic Church in Mount Laurel, New Jersey.
Affectionately known to many as “Uncle Bengie” or “Bra Bengie,” he inspired warmth, kindness, and respect across generations. He possessed a remarkable presence and moved through every room with ease, warmth, and natural authority. He was, in every sense, a man’s man, leading not with force or noise, but through example. Bengie approached life with quiet confidence and dignity.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Gertrude Blake; his children, Hawa Blake Augustus, Ifeoma Ejezie, Senesi Blake, and Boima Blake; his brother, Patrick Blake; his sister, Salwa Chebli; and his grandchildren, Justin Mensah, Sanai Ephraim, Lauren Ephraim, and Chisom Okpala. His warm and amiable spirit extended far beyond his immediate family, embracing a host of nieces and nephews whom he loved as his own children and grandchildren.
He leaves behind a loving community of cousins, nieces, nephews, in-laws, extended family members, and dear friends across the world who will continue to cherish his memory. And he leaves behind a lasting legacy of intellect, leadership, dignity, and love.
Celebration of Life:
Friday March 20, 2026
Our Lady of Good Counsel Church]
42 W. Main St.
Moorestown, NJ 08054
Viewing 9am | Service 10am
Interment (following Service):
Jesus Bread of Life Catholic Cemetery
3055 Fostertown Road
Mt Laurel, NJ 08054
Repast (following Interment):
The Venue at Lenola
229 North Lenola Road
Moorestown, NJ 08057
Family Contact:
United States
Senesi Blake – 313‑258‑3937
Boima Blake – 856-912-3978
Hawa (Blake) Augustus – 917-554-3737
Sierra Leone-Freetown
Tiangay Gondoe — +232 78 364441
Mohamed Gondoe — +232 76 364442
Sierra Leone-Bo
Joe Macavorey — +232 079 381371
