Where other builders saw rock, Monty Blakeman saw opportunity.
The Shelton developer spent the last decade literally carving retail sites out of rock ledge. He helped change the face of Shelton during its development boom.
After a two-year battle with cancer, Blakeman died Saturday. He was 66.
Friends and colleagues recalled Blakeman as an old-fashioned builder who had enough savvy to build on difficult sites and sell in difficult times. Blakeman fought fair, and worked hard, they said.
“He was quiet and shy,” said long-time friend Susan Coyle, a real estate agent in Shelton. “He was just an all-around nice guy. He loved the simple things in life. He would much rather give than receive.”
‘Courage and Insight’
Blakeman is probably best remembered for his work at Split Rock — a large retail development built into rock ledge at the corner of Bridgeport Avenue and Old Stratford Road. The development hosts Blakeman’s headquarters, as well as a Walgreens, shops and restaurants on three levels.
The project was approved in 2005.
Shelton developer Robert Scinto said it was a site no one else wanted to touch because of the difficulty blasting and removing all the rock.
“He wasn’t afraid of rock,” Scinto said. “He wasn’t afraid of difficult sites. He did a fabulous job in this town, built on a lot of sites that no one would touch. That took a certain amount of courage and insight. And he had them both.”
At a ribbon cutting ceremony for the Outback restaurant in 2006, the site was dubbed “Mount Blakeman” by Bill Purcell, the president of the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce.
Board of Aldermen President John Anglace said the site has changed the face of Bridgeport Avenue.
Anglace likened Blakeman’s work to the construction of factory buildings along the river during the industrial revolution.
“Look at the great factories, which brought economic vitality to Shelton,” Anglace said. “Split Rock is one of the economic drivers of tomorrow. These are things that will create interest and employment in Shelton.”
‘Self-Made’
Blakeman started selling eggs and mowing lawns at 14, Coyle said.
He moved into the building trade by working with his brothers, then launching out on his own.
In his early career, he worked on residential properties like Aspetuck Village, Buck Hill Estates and Big Horn Acres.
In recent years, he moved to retail developments, such as Split Rock. He completed a similar feat in Seymour, when he carved out a Walgreens from a rocky hill on Route 67. And in January, Blakeman had received approvals for a zone change at the former Crabtree auto park on Bridgeport Avenue.
His developments didn’t please everyone. Some complained about the changing face of Shelton. Others had concerns with blasting at his sites.
Blakeman was one of the city’s top 10 taxpayers, according to Mayor Mark Lauretti.
“He was good at what he did and he worked hard at what he did,” Lauretti said. “And he was closely tied to people. He gave back to his community in many respects.”
Lauretti said that Blakeman was supposed to receive a “Good Scout” award from the Housatonic Council of Boy Scouts of America. But Blakeman didn’t want the attention, Lauretti said.
“He’s one of the old fashioned builders,” said Dominick Thomas, Blakeman’s attorney and friend. “He got on the machines. He knew the stuff. He knew getting-your-hands-dirty work.”
Thomas said he met Blakeman when they were on opposing sides of a zoning issue in the early 1990s.
“We negotiated with each other, and ever since that point we’ve been friends,” Thomas said. “That’s a good sign, when you can sit across the table and leave as friends.”
Thomas said Blakeman was forthright, and gruff at times. He was someone you could tell the truth to, and have a respectable debate with.
“Whether he disagreed with you or agreed with you, he had great respect for you,” Thomas said.
Sickness
Two years ago, Blakeman was diagnosed with cancer.
“He approached it as he approached every project that he ever set about to do — with 200 percent effort,” Anglace said. “He just couldn’t overcome it. It’s sad.”
Coyle said Blakeman died in his home, with his family, “the way he wanted it.”
He had two children. He was also survived by grandchildren, nieces and nephews, siblings and his companion, Pam Ginnetti.
Services
Blakeman’s wake will take place from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. today (Tuesday) at the Riverview Funderal Home in Shelton.
His funeral will be held Wednesday morning, time to be announced, at St. Joseph’s Church on Coram Avenue.
Burial will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Trumbull.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Monty Blakeman Fund at the Valley Community Foundation.
The mailing address for the Valley Community Foundation is 2 Enterprise Dr. – Suite 303 Shelton, CT 06484.
