By JAMES FINK
jfink@bizjournals.com | 716-541-1611

Charles Blaine, a major force at Phillips Lytle law firm and the region, died Dec. 2 from Alzheimer's disease-related complications.

Blaine, 85, spent more than 40 years with Phillips Lytle and was the great-grandson of James Blaine, who was defeated by Grover Cleveland in the 1884 presidential election. Ironically, Cleveland was a partner in a law firm that later became Phillips Lytle.

The firm bore Blaine's name from 1967 to 1993, when it was known as Phillips Lytle Hitchcock Blaine and Huber.

"Charlie was among the most influential partners in our firm's 176-year history," said David McNamara, managing partner. "Much of the firm's enduring success is due to the course that Charlie set during his time with the firm. He is fondly remembered for his larger-than-life personality and his passionate commitment to the success of his clients, the success of his law firm and the development of the many young lawyers that he trained in the fine art of exceptional lawyering."

Blaine retired in 1993.

Born in New York City, he moved to Buffalo in 1948 after earning a law degree at the University of Virginia and serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II.

He joined the local firm of Kennefick Cooke Mitchell Bass & Letchworth, which became Phillips Lytle Hitchcock Blaine and Huber. He was named a partner in 1956 and was managing partner from 1960 to 1974, a period of rapid growth and expansion. Besides its downtown headquarters, the firm has offices in Jamestown, Rochester, Albany, New York and Garden City.

Blaine was noted as a banking and banking regulation specialist, In 1973, he wrote "Federal Regulation of Bank Holding Companies." As lead partner on his firm's long-standing relationship with the then-Marine Midland Bank, he played a key role in the bank's sale of 51 percent of its ownership to HSBC Corp., as well as its later full merger with HSBC Bank USA. Blaine was a Marine Midland director from 1965 until the 1988 merger with HSBC. He also was an HSBC director.

His father, James Blaine III - former president of Grace National Bank in New York - had been on the Marine Midland board and was replaced by his son.

A noted and well-respected Buffalo civic leader, Blaine served for many years on Buffalo State College's College Council and in the 1970s was appointed to the Buffalo Board of Education by Mayor Frank Sedita. A devoted Episcopalian, he was chancellor of the Diocese of Western New York from 1975 to 1991.

In addition, he was a director for the Children's Aid Association; a director and former president of the Legal Aid Bureau; director and president of the Buffalo Council of World Affairs; and director for the Buffalo Salvation Army and Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society. Blaine also was treasurer of the state Communities Aid Association and a member of the American Law Institute, as well as the Erie County, New York state and American bar associations.

Blaine was a member of the Marshall Club, the Lawyers Club of Buffalo, the Buffalo Club, the Saturn Club, Cherry Hill Club, Crag Burn Club in East Aurora, the Links Club in New York City and the Metropolitan Club in Washington.

An excellent sailor dating back to his Navy days, Blaine raced Penguin sailboats from Bertie Bay, Ont. He also played golf and tennis and was a longtime Buffalo Bills season-ticket holder.

Blaine had a deep baritone voice and sang in barbershop quartets during his early years in Buffalo.

"He loved singing with friends and family late into the night so that there could be plenty of harmonies," said Charles Blaine Jr., his son.

After his retirement, he and his wife, Patricia, divided their time between Buffalo and Venice, Fla.

In addition to his wife and son, he is survived by two daughters, Cathryn Blaine Muzzy and Susan Blaine Nesbitt; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

He also is the stepfather of Pamela Griffis Ferrari, Lawrence Griffis, Mark Griffis, Lisa Griffis Davis, Damian Griffis and the late Simon Griffis.