Blake Topping Wilford

Blake Topping Wilford died on June 25 at his home in East Hampton. He was 24.

Born on April 4, 1984, to Fred and Ellen Wilford of Sagaponack, he attended Sagaponack School until 1993 and graduated from East Hampton High School in 2002. He went on to receive a Bachelor of Arts in communications from the University of Rhode Island in 2006.

An avid surfer, he took extensive trips to Puerto Rico, Costa Rica, Hawaii and Bali. He had plans to return to Hawaii this winter where he hoped to spend three months surfing and working in a surf shop. He was also an excellent athlete and participated in several school sports including baseball, basketball, football and lacrosse. His mother also recalled many skateboarding injuries.

He shared his father’s passion for landscaping and worked for the family’s estate management business.

According to survivors, the grief and the praise expressed this week by his many friends showed how deeply he touched so many people’s lives. The family said this week that they are thankful for all of the stories his friends have shared with them and for the tremendous outpouring of love and support from the entire community. “Blake was sweet, caring, goofy, good-natured and completely lovable,” his family said this week. “It’s the sound of his laugh that will stay with us always.”

A young man who loved his dogs 
and the outdoors, he was happiest spending time with both.

Blake was remembered by his closest friends of the surfing community in a “paddle out” ceremony on Sunday morning at Gibson Beach in Sagaponack. The family recalled this week that whether he was riding a wave or trimming a hedge, he was a skilled, hard-working perfectionist in everything he did.

A funeral service was held for Blake, who took his own life, on Monday at the Bridgehampton Presbyterian Church. Interment was at the Wilford family plot in Edgewood Cemetery in Bridgehampton, and was followed by a reception at the Bridgehampton Firehouse.

Donations in Blake’s memory to the Surfrider Foundation and/or any organization that works to help young people who are dealing with depression would be appreciated by the family.