Mark John Blanchard

Mark John Blanchard was born July 31, 1956, in Fort Smith, Ark., and died suddenly on Friday, June 22, in St. Gabriel, La. He was a resident of Baton Rouge. He is survived by his wife, Malaura A. Blanchard, daughter Victoria Ray Blanchard and stepdaughter Kathleen Renee Guarisco. Mark was a dedicated family man who adored his girls. He was preceded in death by his dear brothers Chris and Mike Blanchard, niece Colby Blanchard, grandmother Agatha Hanks, grandfather Oday Hanks, and paternal grandmother Agnes Blanchard. He is also survived by his mother Sylvia H. Blanchard and her husband Jim Johnson of New Roads, his father Carl Blanchard and his wife Anna Robichaux Blanchard of Sunset, stepsister Alissa Karnes and husband Neil of Lafayette, and nieces and nephews, Zach and Tara Blanchard of Lafayette; Adam Landry of Baton Rouge; and Brittany Blanchard, Claire Blanchard, Jared and Jordan Robichaux, all of Lockport. He grew up in Acadia Parish where he graduated from Notre Dame High School. He also graduated from the University of Cincinnati. Mark was a quiet, gentle man who loved the outdoors and took great joy in planting and nurturing trees. During his lifetime, Mark planted thousands of trees, from cypress, to oak, to palms, because he believed in a greener world. He loved to sit back after working in the yard just to enjoy his handiwork. Mark enjoyed his job immensely, too. He served as Director of Stewardship for the Baton Rouge Roman Catholic Diocese for 27 years and was instrumental in starting many programs, including the Bishop's Annual Appeal, the Campaign for Tomorrow and The Works of Mercy Trust, along with raising funds for several new schools and church buildings. He was a mentor to many involved with nonprofit fundraising. Mark's creativity gained national recognition in areas of stewardship and diocesan development and he was a member of the International Catholic Stewardship Council and Association of Fundraising Professionals. He will be missed by his many relatives and friends. Visitation is from 10 a.m. until funeral time on Saturday, June 30, at St. Joseph's Cathedral in Baton Rouge. Funeral Mass will be said at 11 a.m. Saturday at the cathedral. Private burial services will be held at a later date. Arrangements under the direction of Rabenhorst Funeral Home 825 Government St. The family offers special thanks to the St. Gabriel Police Department, James Stuart and everyone at the Catholic Life Center in Baton Rouge. It is in times like these that we cling to our religion and let faith gently wrap us in God's love. Memorial donations to the Bishop's Annual Appeal of the Baton Rouge Catholic Diocese are preferred.