The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-11-20
JAMES BLAKELY IS
DEAD At 81; LONG
ACTIVE CITIZEN
For Many Years Was Keen
Participant in Debates on
Municipal Finance.

James Blakely, for years one OF
Bridgeport's most prominent and pic
turesque citizens, is dead at his home
in Long Hill at the age Of 81. Death
claimed him yesterday after an illness
of Several days, an illness which under
the infirmities Of his advanced years
he could rot withstand. Tall and of
commanding presence, with white hair
and flowing white beard, he was for
years a faaniiary figure about the
streets of Bridgeport and especially
the northern section Of the city where
he had lived for many years, in Wake
ley street. He was more widely
known for the keen interest he took
in public affairs and for his efforts to
prevent high taxation and increases
in expenses in the various city depart
ments.
Mr.. Blake1y was an ardent advocate
of the application OF principles Of
business efficiency to all city affairs.
He believed the affairs of the city
should be conducted with the same
careful economy and curtailment Of
waste, as are the affairs af any pri-
waite and successful business enter
prise. He hated incompetency In any
line Of endeavor and wherever he saw
what he considered poor management
in any public department, he did not
hesitate to criticise. Nor was this
criticism offered as that of disgrun-
tied taxpayer but rather as a watch
FIJI and true citizen, performing what
thought to be his duty. Moreover
in offering criticism he also invariably
had a suggestion for a remedy of what
he considered mismanagement and on
more than one occasion the apparent
wisdom Of his suggestions effected
their adoption.
Many years ago Mr.. Blake1y pur-
chased extensive property. interests in
the North End along what is now
Wakeley street. He then became q
regular attendant at town meetings
and later at meetings Of the board of
apportionment where he took part in
debate on every question Of public
finances. Most especially did he, op-
pose appropriations that meant high
taxation, but he was by no means op-
posed to necessary public improve
ments and favored those which he
considered needful with the growth Of
the city He never sought or held
public office but from his activity in
municipal affairs as a private citizen
he came to be known as the watch
dog of the Treasury ~
Before the sewage was emptied into
the Pequonnock river, Mr.. Blakely's
land along Wake1ey street was a beau
tful sandy shore, Behind it, he had a
flower garden that was the admiration
OF all his neighbors. Mr.. Blakely and
the late Michael Swords were warm
friends and other iesidents of the
netghborhood frequently gathered in
evenings In rowing about the river.
He was passionate lover of children,
flowers and dogs. At one time he had
street residence. He also took delight
in raising prize chickens. With the
passiro of his old friends and neigh
bors he tired of the wakeley street
|neighborhood. His wife died seyera1
years ago and then he moved to the
home at Long He'll where he died at u
o'clock Saturday night
MIR. Blakely was born in the north
ern part Of Ireland in 1885 but ,came To
this country when a small boy. AS a
young man he learned the machinists,
trade and found employ in the old
machine shop of the Wheeler & Will
son Mfg. Co. BY frugality and careful
investment he soon was in position
to retire from factory employment
and for the past % years he had de-
voted himself to the management Of
his property interests
He is survived by one daughter.
Miss Mary E. B1akely; three sons.
Robert p, James W. and Henry A
Blakely; O. sister, Mrs. Cynthia Phil
lips Of New Jersey, and brother To-
seph Blakely. Of New Jersey. The f1-
neral services will be- held from his
late home in Long Hill Tuesday saf-
ternoon.