SPARE a thought for Fedo Blake, a man described as a natural goal-scorer and an all-round sportsman, and arguably one of the best centre forwards of Trinidad and Tobago in the 1940s and '50s.
Blake, one of Malvern's fearsome foursome in 60 years ago, passed away quietly on March 10, and was cremated last Thursday at the Long Circular Crematorium in St James.
But as former top sportswriter George "John D" De Gouveia, recollected, Blake was a goal-scoring machine, and he knew it as well. His performances earned him a place in the T&T forward line, along with Malvern teammates Phil Douglin, Paul Carr and Carlton "Squeaky" Hinds, the only living member of the formidable national front-line.
"He was a kinda extroverted fellow, he like 'gallerying' and that kinda thing, but he had speed, and he knew what to do with a ball," de Gouveia-named one of the top T&T sports writers of the last century in 2000, along with the Express' Mervyn Wells, former Express reporter George Baptiste, and others-recalled.
The former Tranquility Government Secondary old boy was no slouch on the track as well. Had he survived four days more, he would have celebrated his 84th birthday.
Blake was not only prolific in front of goal, as recalled by nephew Juno Blake-also a competent footballer in his day-but excelled with the cricket bat as well. But he was most well known for his exploits on the football field.
After representing T&T in 1947, Blake moved to Germany to pursue his doctorate, and got married there.
De Gouveia also recalled Blake's love for the steelpan.
"He was a steelpan aficionado as well ...he wrote a big book on the steelband; a pricey book too, that's after he came back from studies," the old journalist, with over 30 years experience, pointed out.
A small funeral service contrasted with his personality.