After 65 years of doing business in Denmark, ACE Insurance Agency has sold its family-owned agency to Oberg Insurance Agency of Bridgton.

The sale was finalized on Thursday, Jan. 2.

The ACE agency was established as Blake Insurance Agency in 1954 by Roland Blake, who had witnessed first-hand the devastation that fire could have on a community. In 1947 — “The Year Maine Burned” — a huge forest fire raged down from Fryeburg to Hiram, destroying all of the public buildings and many of the homes in Brownfield. Roland, as a young man and native of Brownfield, had helped to fight this fire. Later as the ashes settled over the community, he realized that many people did not have fire insurance and were left without the financial means to rebuild. 

A few years later, Roland and his wife Miriam established Blake Insurance Agency on the premise of neighbor helping neighbor and assuring the community would be better prepared in the event of another disaster. This remained the agency’s guiding principle as they historically took an active role in the local community by supporting civic groups and events.

Over the years, the agency proudly sponsored the Denmark Public Library, Denmark Arts Center, Stone Mountain Arts Center, Denmark Rec, Denmark Congregational Church, Fryeburg Academy and SAD 72 to foster cultural and educational growth in the local area.

Thirty years ago, Heidi Blake moved back to assist her father in selling the agency, but instead became the second generation to run Blake Insurance. In 2006, the name was changed to ACE Insurance Agency and moved into an office on Main Street in Denmark.

When time finally came to sell, the Oberg Agency seemed the perfect fit, Blake said. 

“They are another local, family-run business and a staff dedicated to personal service,” she added. 

James Oberg concurred that the purchase is indeed a very good fit.

“Oberg Agency is grateful for the opportunity to purchase the ACE Insurance Agency. As a multigenerational family-run business, there was a clear connection to Heidi Blake’s business philosophy and commitment to her costumers. We look forward to continuing her service to those loyal clients and congratulate Heidi on her retirement from the insurance industry,” Oberg said. “We wish her all the best in her future endeavors.”