The mayor of one of Sydney’s biggest council areas has died on a flight home from China after a study tour.
Mayor of Blacktown City Council Tony Bleasdale, 77, was leading a delegation to the council’s sister cities in South Korea and China.
He has been a councillor since 1996 and a mayor since 2019.
Bleasdale was awarded an Order of Australia in 2010 for his charity work and service to the Blacktown community.
Premier Chris Minns said Bleasdale was a generous man with a big heart.
“As Mayor of Blacktown, he worked to develop Sydney’s west, with a particular passion for helping his disadvantaged constituents,” Minns said.
“His legacy is written across the city he loved.
“Our thoughts and love are with Tony’s family and friends, including his beloved wife, Nina.”
NSW Deputy Premier Prue Car said she was deeply saddened to learn of his passing.
“Tony was well loved within the Blacktown community, fiercely advocating for local residents for over 30 years,” Car wrote on social media.
“He was also a great friend and mentor to me, as we worked together in our shared communities for many years.
“My thoughts and love are with Mayoress Nina Bleasdale and all of their family and loved ones.”
Federal Minister for Industry and Science Ed Husic said he wasn’t just a mayor but a ”decent, loving person”.
“He was giving and generous and always there for our people,” Husic said.
“Never afraid to speak up, a believer that he had a role to play advancing social justice, delivering better for our community because they deserved better.
“I always thought the world of him, I was lucky to know him.
“We have no control over when our departure will be but there was something just not right about him leaving us the way he did.
“I really feel for his family and know many in our community will feel a deep soulful ache learning of his passing.”
Federal Communications Minister Michelle Rowland said Bleasdale fought passionately for the people of Blacktown for 30 years.
“His sense of community and commitment to countless charitable organisations over decades helped shaped Blacktown City into the vibrant place it is today,” Rowland said.
“Tony truly loved Blacktown – and I know there are many people today who will be reeling from this loss.
“Tony and I served on Council together in the early 2000s.
“I’ll always remember his wicked sense of humour and straight-shooting, no-nonsense way of communicating.”
Blacktown City Council has been contacted for comment.
