Liam Lawler Blanchard

It is with incredible sadness that we announce the loss of Liam Lawler Blanchard, 37 on August 5, 2012, at the QEII Health Sciences Center, in Halifax. Liam fought a short, but brave, courageous, and inspirational battle with metastatic melanoma.

Born in Sydney, Nova Scotia, on November 1, 1974, he was the proud son of Gregory and Anne (Curtis) Blanchard. At the age of 7, with his family, he moved to Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, where he spent his youth, actively participating in sports and his community. Liam graduated from Dartmouth High School in 1993.

He attended Acadia University in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, where he achieved a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1997. He played on the Acadia rugby team, was active in campus life, and made lifelong friends whose strong bonds are amazing and continue to this day.

After graduation, Liam moved to Ottawa, pursuing careers with Corel and the Government of Canada. After ten years, Liam returned to Dartmouth where he lived until his passing.

Liam was the Executive Director of Volleyball Nova Scotia and, most recently, Basketball Nova Scotia. He had the opportunity to solidify incredible relationships in the volleyball and basketball communities across the province and he was dedicated and worked hard on their behalf.

Throughout his life, Liam spent many summers golfing and enjoying the beach at his family cottage in Ingonish. Most memorable times at the cottage included his dear friend, Bob Watson, who was like an older brother to Liam and the two could entertain anyone with their "frigging jigging" on the deck. Also, an avid golfer, Liam's only regret was never beating his Dad in a round at the Cape Breton Highland Links.

Along with his parents, Liam is survived by sisters Seana Blanchard and Anita (Blanchard) MacLeod; brothers-in-law Jeff MacLeod and Glen MacIsaac; nephew Gregor MacLeod; nieces Lea MacLeod, Ella MacIsaac, and Lilah MacIsaac, who shares Liam's birthday and he said was his best birthday present ever; girlfriend Katie Heckman; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and great friends. Liam is predeceased by his maternal grandparents, Bill and Charlotte (Egan) Curtis, paternal grandparents Leo and Mary (Lawler) Blanchard, grand aunt Mary Egan, affectionately referred to as Mimi; aunt Catherine (Blanchard) Moore, uncle Tommy Blanchard, and aunt Carmel (Curtis) Schwab.

Many thanks to Dr. Robyn Macfarlane; Palliative Care: and the wonderful nurses and staff on 8A who grew fonder of Liam every day. Special thanks to David Maginley who helped Liam navigate his spiritual path which led him to an acceptance of his disease and of his fate.

Cremation has taken place. Visitation will be held at A.L. Mattatal Funeral Home, 217 Portland Street, Dartmouth on Thursday, August 9, 2012 at 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm and 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Funeral mass will take place on Friday, August 10, 2012 at St. Clement's Church, 16 Gaston Road, Dartmouth, at 10:00 am. Burial will take place in Ingonish, Cape Breton, at a later date.

Family flowers only. At Liam's request, donations in his memory can be made to KidSport Nova Scotia, 5516 Spring Garden Road, 4th floor, Halifax, NS B3J 1G6 or at www. sportnovascotia.ca

To view or place an online message of condolence please visit www.mattatallfuneralhome.com