I have been living in California for the past few years, and only learned of Chief Blakely's passing a few days ago. I was privileged to work in his office for a few years when I was a young sergeant, and I just wanted to say how much I admired and respected him as a leader, manager, and as a man.

Observing him as he dealt with various issues was a masters degree level program on how to manage with integrity, thoughtfulness, and concern for the best effect any decision would have on the employees and the department.

Chief Blakely was one of the finest, most decent, and most capable men I have ever known. My sincere condolences.

I was saddened to hear of Dons passing.  It was my privelege to work with Don.  He was a real gentelman

It was my pleasure to have met and worked with Deputy Chief Blakley during the years I and others were struggling to put together Ramsey County's Pre-Trial services program (Project Remand) in the early 1970s.  Without Don's help and guidance and his years spent on the Board of Directors, it would have been a far lesser program.  As a lifelong St. Paul resident, I was also proud that we had a man of Don's integrity, management skill, and wisdom to serve all of us on our St. Paul police department.  He was someone the police department and the city should be proud to have as perhaps the finest public servant I ever encountered in my lifetime of work in the Corrections department.   He lead by example and without demanding it, you somehow just always stepped up your work when Don was involved with the effort.  During my military service days someone once told me "the art of supervision is being able to step on someone's toes without ruining their shine".  That was Don's style.  Add to this that he was just a fine human being, and one shares the loss his family and friends must feel at his passing.  Goodbye Don.  Yours was a life well lived and a job well done.  It was a privilige to have known you.  God bless.

I cannot claim to be a friend of Mr, Blakely.  However, as a young newspaper reporter, I dealt with then Capt. Blakely on numerous occasions and always found him to be helpful, courteous and professional -- a real class act.  I wish I had gotten to know him better,

Karen and Debi, deepest sympathy with the loss of your father..
Roberta Singerhouse

Dear Debi and family,
We are very sad to hear that your Dad has passed away...you are in our thoughts and prayers. With love and sympathy, Sue & Gordy

Visitation

Funeral Service

Wulff Woodbury Funeral Home

Donald Blakely

immediate need

Death has occurred or is near

plan ahead

Pre-plan a funeral or cremation

Plan a Funeral or Cremation Default Desktop

Find Obituaries and Services

Send Flowers

sympathy and etiquette

grief library

celebrations of life

What to Say When Someone Dies

Show Your Support

Sympathy and Grief

obituary

services

memories

Obit Detail

In the care of

share to facebook

share by email

share link

Share Obituary

ideas and resources

Sympathy and Grief Mobile

OBITUARY

Donald J. Blakely

November 17, 1925 – March 14, 2016

Wulff Woodbury Funeral Home

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Services