The mayor of one of Sydney’s biggest councils has died on a flight home from Asia.
Blacktown Mayor Tony Bleasdale was returning from a delegation trip to the council’s sister cities in China and South Korea when he died suddenly on Thursday night. He was 77.
Deputy mayor Chris Quilkey said the council’s thoughts were with Bleasdale’s wife, children and family.
“Tony’s warm and engaging personality led him to forge many friendships across Sydney after arriving from the United Kingdom in 1963,” he said.
Bleasdale had been a councillor since 1996 and was elevated to Mayor in 2019.
‘His legacy is written across the city he loved’
The grandfather was awarded an Order of Australia in 2010 for his charity contributions and work as a councillor.
Quilkey said Bleasdale served the community “he loved” with “energy and commitment”.
“He was proud of the incredible diversity of Blacktown City and passionate about delivering services and opportunities for its residents and businesses,” he said.
“Tony was also a passionate advocate for First Nations people.
“When elected Mayor in 2019, Tony proved a visionary leader in transforming the city to better serve a growing population.
“He was central in negotiating the $2 billion Walker Corporation Blacktown Quarter project, which will provide investment, jobs and growth.”
NSW Premier Chris Minns said Bleasdale was particularly passionate about helping his disadvantaged constituents.
“His legacy is written across the city he loved,” Minns said.
Bleasdale previously spent four decades in the building industry, beginning as a bricklayer and later launching his own labour hire business.
The City of Blacktown has an estimated population of 435,000 people.