Supplied by the City of Grande Prairie

By EverythingGP Staff

Rest In Peace

City Councillor Clyde Blackburn passes away

May 17, 2021 | 2:59 PM

The City of Grande Prairie has announced that City Councillor Clyde Blackburn has passed away.

“It is with the deepest sadness that I am informing you of the passing of community leader and City Councillor Clyde Blackburn,” Mayor Jackie Clayton said in a statement.

“Clyde’s strong and respectful approach to decision making is a model that all leaders would be wise to emulate.”

His family says in a statement on his Facebook page that Blackburn passed away Sunday evening.

Blackburn announced earlier this year that he had once again been diagnosed with leukemia. He was first diagnosed in early 2019 and took a leave of absence from his duties on City Council while he received treatment. He returned to Council full-time in February of 2020, with his cancer in remission.

Blackburn then revealed in February of 2021 that his leukemia had returned.

Clayton adds in her statement that Blackburn’s committment to extensive public service will not be forgotten.

“Our community mourns today, but through Clyde’s work with the Grande Prairie Live Theatre, Grande Prairie International Street Performers Festival, as a school board trustee and here on Council, he left our City a better place,” adds Clayton in her statement.

Flags at City facilities will be lowered to half-mast in his honour. City Council also held a moment of silence at the beginning of Monday’s meeting in memory of Blackburn.

The team at Pattison Media sends its condolences to the Blackburn family and the City of Grande Prairie.