A family has been left devastated after a dad-of-two suddenly died on New Year’s Eve. A skateboarder, tattoo artist, plasterer, and “Milford Haven’s real-life Ace Ventura”, Pete John Black was loved by his family, friends, and the community.
His younger sister, Christine Axe, 35 said that the family did not have the words to express their grief at the sudden and unexpected death of 38-year-old Pete. He is survived by his partner Charlotte Thomas, 37, and his twin children, 13-year-old Jaymee Leigh(daughter), and Nile Black(son).
Pete’s passing has left a huge impact on a lot of people as Christine explained: “He was so young, it was so unexpected. He was such a lovely person, it has left a hole in many people’s lives… Hundreds of people know Pete especially for his skateboarding. He was a really talented skateboarder. It’s [Pete’s death] hurt a lot of people, even people that he hasn’t spoken to in years and years.”
Pete loved to skateboard and was known by hundreds for his skateboarding.
(Image: Christine Axe)
Though Pete had multiple passions in his life, his ultimate goal was to take care of his children. Christine said: “He was sort of a happy, go lucky type of guy. He did do a bit of tattooing, but he was a plasterer as well. He was one of these people that was very much talented at so many different things. So he just generally didn’t have a pin down into a particular career.
“I think it [his goal] was just enjoying life to its absolute fullest. He was very much a happy go lucky type person. He never took anything seriously, so he wasn’t someone who really had a set goal. I think he was just very much enjoying each moment as it came and his biggest goal was just to be there for his children.” For the latest Welsh news delivered to your inbox sign up to our newsletter
Looking back on their childhood together, Christine said one could never dislike Pete. She said: “I always looked up to him. Anything he did, he just made it look really easy and he was so humble about it. He never believed how much he was loved by everybody… He was one of those people that people admired, and you couldn’t dislike him even if he was getting in trouble growing up, the person setting him off couldn’t dislike him. He’s just such a lovable, likeable, amazing person.”
Christine now feels like she’s lost a part of herself, she said: “Obviously, I’m not doing well. It sounds like I’m okay, but it’s one of these things that one minute you think it’s getting better and then the next minute it’s you being told for the first time and you’re sobbing to the floor that the reality is that he’s not here anymore.
“It’s a very strange grieving process for me in the sense that I’ve never felt pain like it. It feels like I’ve lost a part of me. I didn’t even need to see him or speak to him every day but him not being physically here anymore is absolutely devastating. I find strength in talking to people and talking about him helps but at night time when you sort of stop sound, you I mean, you’re just looking at pictures and sort of reminiscing on times of growing up together, and having a very protective big brother, it’s just really sad that he’s not here anymore.”
Pete loved to skateboard and was known by hundreds for his skateboarding.
(Image: Christine Axe)
Due to the unexpected and sudden nature of Pete’s death, his family have appealed for support to cover the funeral expenses. Christine said: “It’s just to cover the basic costs. So I think his partner’s going to try and get some funding. She’s got no money, and unfortunately, it’s that time of year when no one’s got any money, and it happened so suddenly. So we are thinking of just getting some money together just to pay for the basic funeral costs. But what we’re hoping to do is have some left over where it can go to his children and they can have a nice day out or something like that.” You can donate to the family’s fundraiser here.
Speaking of Pete’s legacy, Christine said: “The biggest thing that I think will resonate with everyone is that he was very much a real life Ace Ventura. He was very much into his metal music and he was very good at skateboarding so he had that persona, but he also had the biggest heart.
“He was very liked by animals, every animal just loved him which I think is a really good judge of character. He was just the kindest, funniest, lovable person you could meet. We all have our own challenges, but he just never let it faze him. He’s one of the strongest people you could meet.”