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Heart of Glass - Blenko Glass

Blenko Glass is a West Virginia treasure that spans generations. Nothing symbolizes the state of West Virginia better or more beautifully than Blenko Glass. We will discuss current and former craftsmen and designers and how important it is that Blenko and West Virginia glass be appreciated and valued by the younger generation.

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Blenko The People - Jim Deakin

It is of course Valentine's Day - Heart Day - at Blenko Glass http://www.blenkoglass.com/ the employees are the heart of the company. The following was written by Richard D. Blenko, President, Blenko Glass.

JIM DEAKIN - BLENKO GLASS
Jim Deakin was employed at blenko from around 1953 until he retired about 10 years ago. He died in late 2007. He was Blenko Glass's engineer from the 1950s until his retirement. He had an electrical degree from England and was the brother of Jeanne Deakin Blenko, mother of richard blenko. He came to America to visit but never left. His competence in maintaining the Blenko factory was legendary: there was nothing that Jim Deakin could not fix, repair or create. Jim created the blenko spin machines after seeing a German company's machines in the late 1950s. It is the spin machines that have helped keep blenko competitive in a machine world and he made them from scrap metal. He was drafted twice: once for the english army and once in the american army. In the english army,he was a mechanic;in the us army, he operated radar stations in germany. He was too young for WWII. He stood about 5' foot 7 inches tall and 155 pounds and had an iron like grip. Many times i saw him loosen screws or nuts that defied all methods to loosen up. He was a very good left handed bowler and was on all the Blenko bowling teams of the 1960s and 1970s. I used to marvel at his powerful left handed hook at the alleys. He was a former legion commander in Milton wva. But most of all, Jim was a caring and loving person, usually spending lots of time helping people out of trouble any time they needed help. He must have taken my parents up and removed snow bound cars dozens of times. If you needed help, Jim was always there to help. So I lost a great friend, an uncle and a remarkle, kind fellow.


6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Happy Valentine's Day to a young woman with a soft heart. To know someone this caring is a reward in life. I have been told that when we think of a person who isn't with us any longer that their spirit is near. Those kind of memories are wonderful because it is a way of knowing you have been loved. That makes you loveable. See you tomorrow. Hope your day is full of surpises. Must say you do know what it takes to be a PRINCE. Now all you have to do is pick one, when you are ready. I know I am funny, life is too short not to laugh. So you have brought a smile to my face and a giggle in my heart. Here's to the Frogs, that need to buy BLENKO. GO shopping Frogs we ladies like Blenko any old time.

Anonymous said...

Very nice.
WVUGUY07

Anonymous said...

hillary
large pint please
margie hale

sweetdoc said...

Terrfic article by Rick Blenko.
You should ask the folks there to contribute more often Hilary.
This was very nice. I like learning about the history of Blenko. I have most 'new' stuff except for the 100 or so antique shop finds. Did not buy any of the pink ice. Have the entire new line, it is beautiful. Looking forward to 2008 - is there a new catalog? What about the Birthday Piece for this year? I have been buying old ones - have 7 now - but want to start this year buying current.
Let us know. Plezze

Heart of Glass said...

Margie
I'm going to assume you mean large PRINT
not pint, although on these cold days a pint of hot coffee or cocoa would also be nice.
HJH
keep reading, and thanks for commenting and I'm trying to use Large Print often per the Senior Center request.

Anonymous said...

I lived down the hill for Mr and Mrs Derkins when I grew up in Milton before discovering US Highway out of WV
A nicer family never lived. The Derkin family was special she could cook and he could fix anything, both were very beautiful and friendly to those of lesser means. They made me feel I could be something when I grew up. Wish I had thought to tell him this, did not know of the passing until today.
Nice article. Thank you for a tribute to a very lovely family.
Patty Miller
Columbus, Ohio