JON Blake's devoted son has vowed to become his carer and protector after the death of the former promising actor's mother, who spent 21 years by his side.
Looking frail and gaunt, Blake, who was tipped to be the next Mel Gibson before a horrific car crash ended his career, yesterday arrived at his mother Mascot's funeral on a stretcher.
Blake's only child Dustin, who calls his father by his first name Paul, yesterday said he would take over his care from his remarkable grandmother.
Dustin paid tribute to her saying she had lovingly cared for Blake despite bureaucrats who had tried to wrest guardianship from her after he had won a huge payout.
The quietly spoken 28-year-old said he knew his father, who is almost totally paralysed and has severe brain damage, was very upset yesterday.
Eight nurses were at the funeral service held in North Ryde in Sydney.
In the 21 years since he was injured in 1986 just hours after finishing filming The Lighthorsemen in outback South Australia, Ms Blake never left her son's side at her Sydney harbourside home in Castlecrag, Dustin said.
She never stopped worrying about Paul and always wanted the best for him, she was such a great person and I loved her so much, he said yesterday.
I have got to step in and do what I can for him.
She always had the best intentions for my father, she did all she could and then some.
I offered to help as much as I could. Now I would like to do as much as I can.
Mourners were told of the fight the 82-year-old put up against the bureaucrats who took interest in Blake after he won a $10 million payout in 1995.
She complained in 1995 that when the payout was near suddenly the guardianship board intervened in her son's care.
Ms Blake used the money to employ nurses in her round-the-clock effort to care for Blake.
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