Donald Wallace Blanchard

He was born in Burlington, Vermont, March 14, 1935, the son of Donald D. and Laura (Davis) Blanchard. As a young boy, he resided in Underhill, Vermont, moving to Keene as a teenager.

Mr. Blanchard worked for twenty years at the former Kingtool, a division of Kingsbury Corporation in Keene. He later enjoyed driving a school bus for Laidlaw Transportation from 1979 until his retirement in 2005.

In 1973, he moved to Marlow where he was a member of the Marlow Fire Department serving from 1973 until 1998, and was a Deputy Forest Fire Warden for the Town of Marlow. He also served on the Marlow Ambulance Service as an EMT, joining the service in 1976. Mr. Blanchard was also a member of the Keene Fire Department Steamer Call Company for many years.

He enjoyed following his children’s activities, participating in the school’s booster club. He was also an avid sports fan, enjoying watching all kinds of sports, especially NASCAR.

Mr. Blanchard moved to Sullivan in 2003 to be closer to his family.

He is survived by his children, Mike Blanchard and his wife, Bonnie, of Sullivan, Jon W. Blanchard and his wife, Terri, of Belair, MD, Kathy B. Evans and her husband, Jeremy, of Keene; nine grandchildren, Christopher Davis, Stephanie Evans, Megan Evans, Michael Robert Blanchard, Jacob Blanchard, Daniel Blanchard, Sarah Blanchard, Kenny Blanchard, Rachel Blanchard; two great-grandchildren, Noah Davis, Taylor Davis; a sister, Dutchie Perron and her husband, William, of Walpole, NH; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife of 42 years, Evelyn A. (Gray) Blanchard; two brothers, Charles A. Blanchard and Robert Blanchard; and a sister, Betty Thompson.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, January 10th at 11:00 AM in the Marlow United Methodist Church, 11 Church Street, Marlow. Burial with fire department honors will be held in the spring in the Village Cemetery, Marlow. There are no public calling hours.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mr. Blanchard’s memory to the Marlow Ambulance Service, PO Box 418, Marlow, NH 03456-0418.

The Foley Funeral Home, 49 Court Street, Keene, NH is assisting the family with the arrangements.