Well my friends it is with regret that I have to tell you that Donna, the wife of Derek John Blackham (Newyankee) phoned me at 2pm to tell me that Derek died in his sleep, peacefully this morning at 01.00 hrs (07.00hrs GMT).
Derek was born on 2nd August 1946 at Doncaster and died today 31st August 2016 in Milwaukee, he was just 70 years of age.
He fought that terrible disease bravely and with dignity too. When he is cremated shortly there will be also in his coffin with him his hats and scarfs of DRFC and also The Dons. He surely was RTID.
He leaves a widow, Donna and no other siblings in America, he met Donna and was introduced to her by my late wife Helen in June 1989 when we went to stage an under 10's school boys rugby league game before the inaugural rugby league game in the States between Wigan and Warrington. Donna being the manager of our hotel and widowed herself .
REST IN PEACE MY GOOD FRIEND.
I shall miss you
Derek Blackham(Newyankee)
posted on 7/9/16
25b he would chuckle at that
posted on 11/9/16
Just an update.
The Dons programme today regarding Derek stated there would be a minute's silence in memory of Derek, the teams came out and I perched myself ready to take a pic to send to Donna, the teams kicked off, I am still waiting for the minute's silence but am at home.
Spoke with Donna tonight, she thanks everyone for their good wishes and an update from the Rovers.
Next Saturday's matchday programme will have a eulogy regarding Derek and also a photo.
Also for anyone who wishes to participate at 2.15pm next Saturday in The Belle Vue Bar there will be a p.a. announcement regarding Derek and patrons will be invited to raise a glass in Derek's memory, if you wish to participate you are very welcome. Then three more points.
After next week I shall be meeting Liam Scully again to arrange the plaque which is to be raised in memory of Derek and to be placed in The memorial Garden. I will keep you appraised of this. I hopefully will receive Derek's death certificate tomorrow which will allow me to place his obituary in the DFP, they demaqnd a copy of it. But hey ho.
Thank you
Mick Ball
posted on 12/9/16
Thanks Mickey. Me and my dad will be there saturday. Would be nice to see a few
posted on 13/9/16
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=W8C7PGVR6BN5Q
If anyone wishes to contribute to the plaque for Derek in the Memorial Garden, just click on this link, it is being organised by VSC. Thank you Mick
posted on 19/9/16
Well Saturday's event was very well attended and officiated extremely well by John and Marie of DRFC. I am grateful for the attendance and although noisy in the Bar, the gathering were respectful I then took a few pictures of the Memorial Garden and they have been forwarded to Donna, again in the ground at half time a picture of Derek and Donna on big screen and also a picture of Mel who also passed because of Cancer. A tribute indeed by the club to supporters that have sadly passed.
Thanks to Liam Scully for everything. I will advise when details of the plaque are finalised. Thank you
Mick
posted on 21/9/16
Thanks for the update Micky. Good to know that the club honoured Derek in the right way.
posted on 21/9/16
I have learned today that the Memorial Fund in memory of Derek stands at just over £240.
Thank you
posted on 22/9/16
Mickey an article has been posted in the free press.
http://www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/news/lifelong-doncaster-rovers-fan-dies-in-usa-1-8140647
posted on 27/9/16
Assa.
Many thanks my friend, I had not seen it, I have just sent the link to Donna, she is overwhelmed by all this, the wording on the plaque and the brick in wall of fame...she is sorting this week. She really was shaken last night with it all.
Look after yourself.
Mick
posted on 27/9/16
Sorry
Azza