Tributes are pouring in for the roadside worker struck by a vehicle in East Ottawa on Thursday.
Al Blake of Rockland is being remembered as kind, funny, sweet man. The 46-year-old husband and father of two teenaged boys died after being hit by an SUV while working on the median of Highway 174 Thursday afternoon.
Longtime friend Paula Deek wrote on her Facebook page, “…we're in shock and devastated at your tragic passing. All the words that describe a kind, funny, adorable and sweet man would be accurate .. You go to work in the morning and don't come home ever again .. that's not the way it's supposed to be. May your soul rest in eternal sweet peace.”
Friend and business partner Sherry Adams wrote “…we were a really good team me and you and I will continue running our business to see it become as successful as we dream it will be. I love you and sleep well.”
Al Blake was doing contract work for the City of Ottawa when he was struck. He worked under the banner of Blake Maintenance Group – a family-run business out of Rockland that did maintenance and landscaping in the summer and snow removal in the winter.
Ottawa Police continue to investigate the crash. The Ontario Ministry of Labour is also involved. There is no word yet on a possible cause.
