Robert L. Blanchette

On September 24th, 2022, Robert Lee Blanchette, 72, of Southington, passed away in his home after a hard fought battle with lung cancer. Bob was born to the late Nelson Sr. and Martha Blanchette in Frenchville, ME “in de woods”. The Blanchettes eventually made their way to Southington.

Bob met Darlene when they were young and instantly became sweethearts. He married Darlene in 1974 and they started to grow the “Blanchette clan”. Bob worked hard throughout his life to provide for his family and build the loving home he always wanted. Bob owned Blanchette Painting and met many wonderful people through his years of painting. He truly loved this part of his job. A few lucky clients were even invited to some of his Christmas Eve parties! Bob certainly knew how to throw a Christmas Eve party! For every Holiday, Bob would set up holiday themed “blow ups” in front of his house. He loved seeing the joy it brought to many children and families as they drove by and admired them.

Bob lived life to the fullest and there was a long list of things he loved. These included: fishing on his boat (Just Bobbin’), being at the campground with Darlene and all his friends, all things Charlie Brown, his moccasins, making breakfast for his loved ones, race cars, the Red Sox and going to Fenway. Family vacations to Daytona Beach and Cape Cod were something that Bob cherished. He loved a good seafood meal, especially lobster. Bob enjoyed going to the casino to “hit up the slot machines”. Bob was an amazing soul; he had a special gift of making every person in his life feel loved. Every Christmas, he would get Darlene and his daughters the same piece of jewelry that they would wear for Christmas Mass. He was known to buy all the mothers in his life lilies on Mother’s Day and you could find him with a truck full of poinsettias for every family member at Christmas. These small gestures were his way of saying how proud he was of his family and how important they were to him. He loved his inner circle so deeply that it was palpable and he was the definition of a family man. Bob had a certain twinkle in his eye and a bounding laugh that made you stop and giggle. He had an enormous energy and presence that filled up the room and he was truly the life of every party. You could always count on Bob to have a smile on his face, giving a thumbs up, all while battling a hard fight against lung cancer.

Bob leaves behind his treasured wife Darlene Tedesco Blanchette, who he loved endlessly. He leaves behind his children, Jessica Blanchette, Robin Borchard, Shana Gagliardi, Alyssa Blanchette, and Zachary Blanchette. His son-in-laws Peter Borchard, William Gagliardi, future son-in-law Cooper D’Ambrosio, and Zac’s girlfriend Cailley Browne were all very special to him. He leaves behind his grandchildren who all had their own special nicknames Taylor, Ariana, Payton, Alora, Brynn, and Bryce. He leaves behind his mother-in-law Lucille Tedesco, brother-in-law Ray Lessard, sister-in-law Gail Lessard, and his special nephew Ryan Lessard and niece Leslie McLaughlin. He leaves behind his siblings Judy Lebel and family, Carol Blanchette, Nelson Blanchette Jr. and was predeceased by his siblings Danny Blanchette and Al Blanchette. Bob was also predeceased by his parents, Nelson Sr. and Martha who he is now reunited with. Bob also leaves behind his sons, Robert Blanchette and Keith Blanchette. Bob is now with all of his friends who have gone before him and I’m sure the partying has already commenced. We have no doubt, Ollie is by his side like the good dog he always was.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Thursday, September 29th at 10 a.m. at St. Aloysius Church, 254 Burritt St., Plantsville. Burial will follow at St. Thomas Cemetery. Calling hours will be Wednesday, from 4-7 p.m. at the DellaVecchia Funeral Home, 211 N. Main St., Southington. For online condolences and directions please visit, www.dellavecchiasouthington.com