Richard William Blanchard Sr. Obituary (1926

Richard was born on October 1st, 1926 in Wollaston, MA., the youngest of nine children of the late Arthur H. Blanchard and Eglantine (Desrosiers) Blanchard. At age 1 the family moved to Arlington, MA where he resided for the next 20 years. He attended St. Agnes School and Arlington High School where he played Football, Hockey, and was captain of the Baseball team, graduating in 1944. He enlisted in the US Army Air Corps which sent him to school at the University of Vermont and the University of Maine at Orono for engineering courses. After 9 months at school he was ordered to “Active Duty” where he was sent to Wichita Falls, Texas for basic training and rose to the position of Platoon Leader. He trained to be a Gunner on board a B-29 Bomber, however the war ended and he was sent to Germany in December 1945 as part of the cleanup effort. He was honorably discharged one year later. During 1946 Richard visited his brother Eddie Blanchard who was a Franciscan Friar in the Capuchin Order, and living at a monastery in Butler, Pennsylvania. Due to his strong Catholic faith, Richard contemplated joining the priesthood like his brother, but then had a dream of “roses on a white picket fence, and a wife waiting for him”, so he knew his true calling. He attended Bowdoin College where he majored in Mathematics and minored in Education and played on the Varsity Hockey and Baseball teams. During the summers he worked with his brother Don, who was president of Blanchard Associates, Fire Equipment Company of Winthrop, Maine. It was while working in Winthrop that Richard first met Gladys Hyatt. She worked at the soda fountain in St. Ledger’s local store on Main Street. His love of ice cream and cigars were a good excuse to visit with her. Two years later they were married on December 27, 1949 - Gladys was 19 years old, and Richard 23. In 1950, he graduated Bowdoin with an AB degree in Math and Education. At the time, he was pursued by a Professional Baseball recruiter but decided to focus on family life. He then taught college preparatory mathematics in secondary schools in Maine and Connecticut for over six years, also coaching hockey and baseball. He was well loved by his students and served as an advisor. During this time, Richard and Gladys had 3 children - Joseph, Paul and Thomas. For the next 14 years he worked for RCA in Burlington, MA, as a member of the Technical Staff in the Analog Computer Group, participating in the NASA Apollo Moon Landing program working on the landing gear solution of the LEM - Lunar Entry Module. He was presented a Certificate of Award for his contributions to the success of the United States’ goal of landing Man on the Moon. The Blanchard clan was ever growing and by 1972 the rest of the “Baker’s Dozen” (13 children) were born - Mary, Katherine, John, Janet, Richard Jr., Robert, Michael, Andrew, Daniel, and Diane. When the Apollo program was cancelled, he moved to Winthrop Maine in 1972 converting their summer camp on Upper Narrows Pond into a year-round home. He worked as a statistician for the State of Maine Department of Transportation for the next 18 years retiring December 27, 1991. Richard is survived by his beloved wife Gladys with whom he shared 64 years of marriage, and 13 Children: Joseph Blanchard, wife Maureen and children Joseph Jr. (his wife Megan and children Jason and Allison), Carol and Michael; Paul Blanchard and children Jessica, Jefferson and Jamieson; Thomas Blanchard and children Melody, Ian, Caitlin, Christopher and Nathan; Mary Sampson, husband Roger and children Leah (her partner Dan Marcoux and daughter Piper), and Eric; Katherine Hamilton, husband Ken and children Rachel and Isaac; John Blanchard, wife Sorna and daughter Jaya; Janet Blanchard; Richard Blanchard Jr.; Robert Blanchard, wife Jean and children Mary Claire, Caroline and Jane; Michael Blanchard, wife Kim and children Hannah and Elle; Andrew Blanchard; Daniel Blanchard and daughter Victoria; and Diane Anglin, husband Kirk and children Ryan, Evan and Miles. All of Richard's children were baptized in the Catholic church. A devout Catholic, Richard was a great teacher and spiritual advisor of the faith to his family, friends and everyone he met. He led by example, leading an uncompromising and righteous life; steadfast in his faith and devotion to God, and his loyalty and love for his wife, Gladys. Richard’s outstanding sense of humor and infectious enthusiasm for life was an inspiration. He had many talents and interests; including music, art, mathematics, science, astronomy, classic films, sports, mountain climbing, building, poetry, history and exploration. He was a passionate promoter of the teachings of the church. Always humble and welcoming, he was regarded by all as an exemplary mentor and role model. As a self-taught pianist, he entertained his family daily with his beautiful melodies, often accompanied by Gladys and the family singing along. Committed to charity, he gave countless hours playing piano for the elderly, and fostered poor children around the world. He would like to sum up his life as: “He tried to live obeying the teachings of the Catholic Church, remaining each day close to his beloved wife Gladys and family.” Relatives and friends will honor and remember Richard's life by gathering for visiting hours at the Roberts Funeral Home, 62 Bowdoin Street, Winthrop, ME from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm Friday January 24, 2014. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday January 25th at 11:00 am at Saint Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 20 Lake Street, Winthrop, ME. A reception will be held immediately following the ceremony at the Parish Hall. Memorial donations in his memory may be made to the Winthrop Food Pantry, P.O. Box 82, Winthrop, Maine 04364. Condolences, memories and photos may be viewed and shared with the family on the obituary page on the website at www.khrfuneralhomes.com.