Willard Sr. Obituary (1942 - 2010)

MANCHESTER - Willard R. Blanche Sr. of Manchester died Sunday, Sept. 5, 2010, with his loving family by his side, at Maine Medical Center in Portland after a long battle with leukemia. Willard (Will or Willy) was born Nov. 12, 1942, the son of Theodore and Ruth Blanche of Manchester. He attended Manchester and Hallowell schools and obtained his diploma in 1962. First and foremost Willard was a family man, dedicating his life to taking care of his family. He was known for working two jobs when he was younger to make sure he provided for the needs of his children, taking care of his mother, his beloved neighbor, after his father passed away, and spending time with his grandchildren in his later years. He was also always up for a good family camping trip to Bar Harbor or Beaver Brook. When he was not taking care of his family he was volunteering his time at the Manchester Lions Club, his home away from home. Willard drove truck for Bridge Construction and Dick Condon and then was employed by the State of Maine, 'retiring' after 26 years of service. After retirement from the state, he spent the next several years going back to his roots and driving truck for Scott Lyon Construction. He also spent several years as a volunteer firefighter for the town of Manchester. Prior to his passing, in an effort to make sure his wife Harriet would live the rest of her life in their dream home, he overcame his fear of the computer and found the perfect design for the house that is currently being constructed on their property in Manchester. He was predeceased by his father, a sister, Arlene Lebel, a brother, Glenwood Blanche, a grandson, Lukie Hopkins and a great-granddaughter, Olivia Norwood. Willard was deeply loved and will be sadly missed by his wife of 48 years, Harriet Blanche, and five children: Diane Hopkins and husband Luke, Nancy Belanger and husband Bill, Joyce Norwood and husband Bill, Jennifer Kelley and husband Adam, all of Manchester, and Willard Blanche Jr. and wife Susan of Scarborough. He is also survived by his mother, Ruth Blanche, two brothers, James and Theodore Blanche; 14 loving grandchildren: Craig, Tamrin, Stephanie, Jonathan, Kayla, Michelle, Ashley, Aric, Derek, Madison, Megan, Ethan-Luke and Carter, a great-grandson Hunter, two great-granddaughters Chrissy and Avril; many nieces and nephews and many other special people who were thought of like his own daughters and sons. The family wishes to express their gratitude for the care and compassion provided by the staff of the Gibson Pavillion at Maine Medical Center in Portland and the Harold Alfond Center for Cancer Care in Augusta. Visiting hours will be held on Sept. 9, 2010, from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. and a celebration of his life will be held on Sept. 10, 2010, at 1 p.m. Both the visiting hours and celebration will be held at Knowlton & Hewins Funeral home, 1 Church Street, Augusta. Burial will follow at the North Manchester Meeting House cemetery, after which all are invited to a gathering at the Manchester Lions Club. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to the Luke Jeremy Hopkins Scholarship Fund, 45 Millard Harrison Drive, Readfield, ME 04355 or a scholarship in Willard's name with the Manchester Lions Club, P.O. Box 1, Manchester, ME 04351. Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.khrfuneralhomes.com