A POPULAR social worker who died following a long illness will be remembered as someone who made a difference, his funeral heard yesterday.
Dan Blake, whose family established Blakes of the Hollow bar in Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh, was laid to rest following his death on Saturday.
A devoted father-of-three, Mr Blake was the youngest of five siblings.
In 1986 and 1987, he volunteered with Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity in India, later becoming a social worker.
His funeral at St Michael's Church in Enniskillen heard that he worked with hearing impaired people and in mental health services.
Despite battling illness over the last two-and-a-half-years, he was always "full of mischief", mourners heard.
His eldest son Cal said his father taught him how to play guitar and drive
"He was a loving husband to my mother and a great father to my brothers and I. I couldn't have asked for a better dad," he said.
He added: "I'll never match his wit or cheek. He was a hopeless joker."
Cal Blake said his father was "always such an active man".
"He really loved this community and he loved this town," he said.
A guitar and a picture of his family were given as offertory gifts.
Mr Blake was laid to rest at Cross Cemetery.
He is survived by his wife Madeleine and sons Cal, Theo and Rowan
