Melvin Oyeman Blake (6 Jun 1940 - 23 May 2023)

In loving memory of our wonderful husband, dad, father-in-law and grandpa, Melvin.

Melvin Oyeman Blake, 82 of Beeston, Notts sadly passed away on 23rd May 2023 at Queens Medical Centre, Nottingham with his wife and daughter both by his side and holding his hand.
Much loved and much missed, Melvin is survived by his wife Sandra, daughter Carrie, son-in-law Chris, and grandson William, who hold his memory in their hearts.

Born in Mt Horeb, St James, Jamaica. A proud Jamaican and Londoner in equal measure, Melvin moved to the UK in 1956 as a 16 year old venturing into the world to make his own path in life, have a few adventures on the way, find love and start his own family.
North west London is where Melvin made friends that would become family, met and married Sandra, his beloved wife and companion for 55 years, raised their daughter, Carrie, and built a loving and secure home.

As a youth he learned his trade working on (now) vintage and classic cars, motorcycles and Hackney carriages, he honed and perfected his skills in paint spraying and auto body repairs taking pride in a well executed job and eventually ran his own garage and car repair shop.

Moving with Sandra to Nottingham from London later in life to be near family, he found joy in teaching his grandson, William to play Dominos, the 'West Indian way'. Many a match was had, many a table top dented.

A thinker and poet at heart Melvin had a love of songs, storytelling and crafting verse, and wrote poetry much of his life, finding spiritual solace in the power of imagination.

Always ready to have a chat, laugh, crack a joke and raise a glass, Melvin lived his life with with generosity of spirit, an abundance of love, a gentle kindness, a wicked sense of humour and a twinkle in his eye. His passing leaves a hole that cannot be filled, and he will be remembered with much love and affection by those whose lives he touched.

The funeral service will be held on Monday 26th June, at 2.30pm, The Reflection Chapel, Bramcote Crematorium, Coventry Lane, Bramcote, Nottingham, NG9 3GJ. All are welcome to attend.

In place of flowers, please make any charitable donations to Dementia UK or Prostate Cancer UK.