Blacktown mayor Tony Bleasdale dies on delegation flight from China

A Sydney mayor has died while travelling back from China on a council delegation. Here is what we know.

Blacktown mayor Tony Bleasdale.

The mayor of second most populous council in Sydney has died on a flight returning from China, having served almost three decades as a councillor.

Labor’s Blacktown mayor Tony Bleasdale was on a delegation flight from China when he died at the age of 73.

He had been in the position of mayor since an extra ordinary meeting in 2019 and was again re-elected in 2020 and has remained mayor ever since.

NSW Premier Chris Minns described Mr Bleasdale as a generous man “with a big heart” who worked hard to improve the lives of disadvantaged constituents.

“As Mayor of Blacktown, he worked to develop Sydney’s West, with a particular passion for helping his disadvantaged constituents,” he said.

Blacktown Mayor Tony Bleasdale.

“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.”

Mr Bleasdale had served on Blacktown Council since his election in 1996 was awarded an Order of Australia medal in 2010 for his service to the community as a supporter of charitable organisations, and for his contribution to Blacktown community.

According to Blacktown Council’s website, his charity work included being a financial supporter to the Gynaecological Cancer Research Fund, Westmead Hospital, Blacktown Relay for Life, Cancer Council NSW among many others.

The English-born mayor was the managing director of National Contractors, a major construction industry labour hire firm and had previously spent 2016 to 2019 as deputy mayor.

The Liverpool Echo, a local newspaper from Mr Bleasdale’s hometown, previously reported he moved to Australia at the age of 15 and his grandfather had died as a prisoner of war in France in 1918.

Mr Bleasdale told the Echo he wanted to follow in his granddad’s footsteps, however, his mother refused to sign the British Army form and instead he was sponsored to move to Australia, spending six weeks on a boat.

Blacktown Council declined to make a statement in relation to the mayor’s death.