Philippe Morin
Northern News Services
Friday, April 30, 2007

FORT MCPHERSON - Robert Blake died on a cheerful day, as friends and family were celebrating Fort McPherson's Peel River Jamboree.

It was a sad shock for the community, which did not see it coming. Blake's brother Georgie said he was a few days away from his 60th birthday when he died of heart failure.

Robert Blake - photo courtesy of Blake family

Blake was known for his high energy and good spirits.

"He got along well with all the young people in the community," he said.

He added it was not the family's idea to postpone the remaining jamboree, on April 22 and 23.

"The community was very shocked when they got this news. Even though they were told they could go on, by the family, the committee got together and cancelled the carnival until next week," he said.

"It looks like it's going to be dedicated to Robert."

Georgie Blake said his brother was born on May 8, 1947, in the area of Husky River.

He later moved to McPherson and briefly worked in Tuktoyaktuk for the Esso oil company, during the northern oil boom of the 1970s.

Robert then moved back to McPherson and worked in construction, helping to build homes and roads.

A traditional hunter, trapper and fisherman, he put his skills on the land to use serving as a Canadian Ranger and was a senior ranger for 20 years.

One of 14 siblings, Robert had seven brothers and six sisters, though one sister died about ten years ago.

"He was one who helped anyone in the community," Georgie said.

This feeling was echoed by Chief Johnny Kay of the Tetlit Gwich'in Council, who was Blake's cousin.

"I was raised in the community with Robert. He was always around and when there was a need in the community, he was there.

He was always using his humour, making people laugh. It was his nature," he said.

Fort McPherson's mayor, Rebecca Blake, described Robert as a comedian.

She said his humour and smile would be missed by the entire community.

"Robert was certainly a happy person, he was always making jokes and laughing, you always knew when his presence was around."

A funeral service was scheduled for April 26 in the community. Robert leaves behind two daughters and a granddaughter.