AUGUSTA -- Leland 'Lee' Blanchard, 84, of Augusta, died Friday, Oct. 28, 2011, at MaineGeneral Medical Center because of complications from surgery. He was born in Hallowell on July 12, 1927, the son of Leland and Montey (Chase) Blanchard. On June 27, 1977, he married Barbara Robinson. He had been employed as a forklift operator at Statler Tissue in Augusta for 44 years. Lee enjoyed fishing, going to beano, playing lottery scratch-off tickets, going out to eat and spending time with family and friends. He was predeceased by his parents; his children Lynette French of Alabama, Leigh Blanchard of Turner and Dianne Blanchard of Augusta; and three sisters, Ruth Chase of Augusta, Mae Hopper of Hallowell and Edna Josselyn of Ellsworth. He is survived by his wife, Barbara Blanchard of Augusta; a son, Darren Blanchard of Washington state; a stepson, Mike Bennett and his family of New Gloucester; a stepdaughter, Sally Potterf of Washington state; daughter-in-law Chris Moen and her husband, Don, of Newport; a sister, Elsie Sargent of Southington, Conn.; brother-in-law Arthur Robinson and his wife, Mary, of Chelsea; sister-in-law Rita Rayner and her husband, Richard, of Chelsea; brother-in-law Robert Robinson and his wife, Barbara, of Chelsea; and several grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Lee was also survived by many friends and especially his best friend, Dusty, his cat. A graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 3, in Chelsea Heights Cemetery, Chelsea. Arrangements are in the care of Knowlton and Hewins Funeral Home, 1 Church St., Augusta, where memories, condolences, photos and videos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of the website at www.khrfuneralhomes.com.