It is with a deep sense of loss that this reporter learned of the untimely death of Councillor Michael Blake.
Mick suffered a stroke on the 31st of May and was admitted to hospital after being found unconscious by his wife. He spent a couple of weeks in hospital and appeared to be making good progress. He was allowed home and appeared to be recovering well. His two sons, who live in England, spoke to him on several occasions during the previous week.
On Monday 23rd he suffered a relapse and was re admitted to hospital, with his wife at his bedside, he passed away.
Councillor Michael Blake's funeral ceremony was held at the church in La Marina urbanisation in calle Alicante on Saturday 27th June. After the church service there was a cavalcade of cars that followed the hearse to the San Fulgencio cemetery where the councillor’s coffin was interred. Following the funeral many people attended the reception at The Hillside to pay their respects to Mike’s wife Ann and their two sons. Mike’s sister had also travelled from the UK to attend his funeral.

Michael Blake will be remembered as one of the major forces in establishing a British representation on the Spanish Political scene. Along with Manuel Barrera, he helped establish the AIM Paradiso Association and became Vice President of the AIM Political Party in San Fulgencio. When he, along with Manuel Barrera and Mark Lewis, gained seats on the council, they quite clearly broke the mould in local politics.
When the scandal involving the President of AIM broke, he and his fellow Councillor Mark Lewis resigned from AIM, but they continued to serve on the Council as Independent Councillors.
Mick was a well known figure around the area and was always willing to stop and talk to everyone and anyone. He was often seen at his post, initially in the small council office on the La Marina Urbanisation and latterly at the Tourist Information Office. From my own conversations with him, I learned that he had come from highly respected positions in the service of the Home Office. He was instrumental in bringing about many changes to the area and we agreed on many of the changes that he hoped to implement in the future.
He was always looking for ways to improve the lives of the citizens of the Municipality.
I am sure that many platitudes will be said about Mick Blake, but myself and the rest of the editorial staff of CoastRider, will always remember him as a man with ethics. A man who was honest and truthful. A man who would speak out against wrong doings, but most of all, he was a really nice guy and I for one feel better for having had a chance to know him, even a little.