REPRESENTATIVE Ivan A. Blanco, the House Republican leader, passed away Friday afternoon. He was 45.
Blanco attended a Developmental Disabilities Council meeting at the Aqua Resort Friday morning. Variety was told that  after lunchtime, the Precinct 3 lawmaker suddenly felt weak, and then became unresponsive. He was rushed to the Commonwealth Health Center where he was pronounced dead at past 1:30 p.m.
One of Blanco s colleagues in the House, Rep. Angel Demapan, described him as âbeloved  by everyone.â
âHis death is big loss to the  Commonwealth He was an honorable statesman, a very loving father and a very devoted husband.â
Demapan added, âI just ask that we keep his family and his soul in our prayers during this very difficult time.â