26 JUNE 2026
SAMFORD FAREWELLS FIRST OFFICER BLAKE Few people were able to close down an entire village quite like First Officer John Gregory Blake of the Queensland Rural Fire Service, and even fewer were welcomed with an escort of eight fire trucks and a full honour guard. Then again, almost no one could imagine giving as much of themselves to their community as John did. On 5 June 2026, the Samford community and surrounding districts farewelled their local hero, who had passed away a fortnight earlier on 26 May. John served in the QRFS for well over a decade. He first signed up to the Clear Mountain Rural Fire Brigade with his neighbour Brad Fox, later becoming a Burns Team Leader and joining the QFES Predictive Services Unit as a qualified Fire Behaviour Analyst. By 2015, his wife Kerri had also joined the service. Before his extensive years of volunteering, John worked as an electrician, a private investigator and a bouncer. He always stood up for what he believed was right and helped others whenever he could. He later moved into loss prevention roles with Metcash, Just Jeans, Coles and finally Bunnings, where he and Kerri met. Before marrying Kerri, John had four children: Alecia, Christopher,
Kaitlin and Lachlan. Together they welcomed William in 2004 and Eddie in 2008. The family eventually built their own business focusing on electrical, data, telecommunications and power tool repairs, later moving to a larger premises in Brendale, employing thirteen staff. Sadly, the good times did not last, and John’s health began a rapid decline in 2024
following his diagnosis of oesophageal cancer, a direct result of his years of volunteer work. At his service, his friend and fellow firefighter, Urban Superintendent Steve Bates, read a Eulogy. “John’s moral compass always pointed true north,” he said. “He believed in doing the right thing, standing up for others and helping people whenever he could. John was always on the side of the good guys because he was one of the good guys. He had an extraordinary ability to connect with people. His greatest achievement was not his career, but the way he made people feel.” Bates also reminded the community of John’s devotion to those closest to him. “He was immensely proud of his children,” he read. “He loved them deeply. Cancer took much from John, but it never took away who he was.” He remained determined, resilient and deeply grateful for the people around him.” He closed his tribute by reminding those gathered that the measure of a life was not how long it was, but how well it was lived. “John lived well.” Continued Page 3