Messages of condolence have been flooding onto social media following the peaceful death of Ventnor Longshoreman, Jim Blake.
Anyone who has spent time on Ventnor beach in the last 70+ years will remember Jim fondly.
“Loved so much by us all”
Jim’s daughter, Sophie, shared the following message on social media this morning,
“With greatest sadness to all who knew my Dad, Jim Blake.
“Last night he passed away peacefully with myself and his grandchildren, Jody, Lucy, Paul, James and Sean by his side.
“Rest in peace my dear Dad, loved so much by us all.”
“No words to explain the legacy you have left behind”
This was followed with a message on the Blakes Longshoremen social media page, which is now starting to gather more condolences.
“Today we say goodbye to our dear Jim Blake; who sadly passed away yesterday.
“There are no words to explain the legacy you have left behind. ‘Blakes longshoremen’ is you Jim; your kindness, your graft and your dedicated service to the people of Ventnor.
“A true Ventnor legend. We will all miss you endlessly. Now walk with your Rosemary and enjoy a well deserved rest xx
“You are at the core of everything we do and everything we will continue to do in your memory Jim.”
Sincerest condolences
Our sincerest thoughts are with Sophie and her family and friends.
Jim’s memory will live long into the future as she and her son, Paul, carry on the legacy that Jim left behind.
A dip into the archive
A dip into the OnTheWight archives returned an interview we did with Jim way back in 2009, when railings were being proposed along the seafront.
It’s lovely to hear Jim’s voice, explaining why he felt the railings shouldn’t be installed. Common sense clearly prevailed, and the council didn’t go ahead with the plans.
We also came across the time in 2012 when Jim’s beautiful hand-crafted boats were sent off to auction, and the time when vandals sadly targeted the Blake’s historic Victorian beach huts.
Image: © Blakes Longshoreman
