Cliff Blake
Click the button below to make a donation in memory of Cliff Blake
Published in Instagram on March 18, 2026
Cliff M. Blake, 73, of Dover, NH died March 16, 2026 from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Cliff was born on July 20, 1952 in Haverhill, MA to Neal M. and Gloria (Matthews) Blake. The family operated Blake’s Silver Feather Chicken Farm. Cliff was a proud graduate of Pinkerton Academy, Derry, NH and the University of New Hampshire, BA Communications, Class of ‘74.
At UNH, Cliff’s illustrious media career began as cameraman and on-air host at NHPTV/Channel 11 (now New Hampshire PBS) and as Station Manager to WUNH. From 1974 to 1996, Cliff served as Program Director and on-air talent to radio stations: WFEA/Manchester, NH; WFTQ/Worcester, MA; WZZK/Birmingham, AL; WBCS/Milwaukee, WI; WMZQ/Washington, DC; KFKF/Kansas City, MO; WMJX/Ft. Lauderdale, FL; WZLX/Boston, MA; and WOKQ/Dover, NH. While working at WFTQ, Cliff met Pauline Williams in 1981 during a sales event at Rotmans Furniture. Their handshake lingered and they wed in December 1983.
Cliff’s career pivoted from radio to records, bringing a unique perspective to the music marketing industry. From 1996-2018, Cliff represented Warner Bros.; Equity Music; 903 Music; Sony/BMG Columbia; Republic/Big Machine; and SMN/AristaColumbia. He promoted more than 70 artists, including Blake Shelton, Faith Hill, Luke Combs, Marren Morris and Florida Georgia Line. In 2016 he was the proud recipient of the CRS/CA Award, Regional Promotion.
Since 1991, Cliff provided his unmistakable voice to NHPBS as the station’s announcer. As Host and Auctioneer, he brought humor and spirit to the annual NHPBS Spring and Winter Auctions. Upon retiring from radio and records, Cliff worked as NHPBS’s Fundraising & Special Events Manager from 2018-2021.
Cliff spent his retirement volunteering where his presence and contributions made him a pillar of the Dover community, earning him the 2024 Community Arts Champion Award. From 2020-2025, he proudly served on: Dover Arts Commission, Vice-Chair; Dover Public Library Board of Trustees; Friends of Dover Public Library; Cochecho Waterfront Development Advisory Committee; Don’t Trash Dover; Dover Doers; Dover Community Trail; Dover Graffiti; Cocheco Arts Festival; NH Library Trustees, Board Member; Dover 9/11 Memorial Committee.
Cliff always had a science fiction book going. His favorite spot to read was sitting in a glider on the back porch with beloved cat Snob in his lap. Every summer he enjoyed orange day lilies in bloom, watching fireflies and listening to peeping frogs. He appreciated classic rock, electronica and film soundtracks. Cliff strived to keep in touch with his many friends, took daily two-mile walks in any weather, and enjoyed cooking chicken picatta or his legendary scrambled eggs. A quiet afternoon might find Cliff in his “Cave” penning stories from his “chicken farm childhood.”
Cliff will be missed by many. Survivors of his wonderful life include his bride of 42 years, Pauline Williams Blake; daughters Kristy Blake Agosti (August Agosti) of Burbank, CA; Darcie Blake of Dover, NH; JJ Blake of Washington, DC; brothers Michael (Doris) Blake of Durham, NH; Terrence (Annette) Blake of Northwood, NH; grandchildren Lyric and Ambrose Agosti of Burbank, CA; grandcats Snob and Professor Scribble Bottoms; the Williams Family of MA: Jim (Donna) Williams; Jeanne Williams (Bruce Maines); Carol (Jack) Kavorkian; Sandra (Harold ‘Buddy’) Churchill; Gail Williams; Janet McInerney (Jonathan Scott); and John Williams; and nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Life will be held at the Memorial Union Building at UNH on Saturday, July 11, from 2pm-5pm (https://partiful.com/e/TMbLMeeviHoNcHqxcC7l?c=2saKqLJH).
Donations in Cliff’s honor can be made to: Compassionate Care ALS (https://ccals.org/).