Wesley C. Blanchard, 84, a lifelong resident of Keene, NH, passed away with dignity and peacefulness, with his family by his side, at the Cheshire Medical Center, Keene on Monday, December 12, 2016, following a period of declining health.
He was born the second of fourteen children, August 16, 1932 in Gilsum, NH, the son of Amos M. Sr., and Gladys M. (Lash) Blanchard. He attended St. Joseph Regional School. He proudly served our Nation as a member of the United States Navy, during the Korean War, where he found his love of the sea, and attained the rank of BM3. He was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, Navy Occupation Service Ribbon, and the National Defense Medal. He worked for many years at Harris Construction Company in Peterborough, NH, and was well known throughout the Monadnock Region as a self-taught diesel and construction equipment mechanic, metal fabricator, and a “jack of all trades”.
After his formal retirement, he enjoyed working for Keene Monument Company and Creations in Stone. Wesley was very devoted to his family, and was affectionately known as “Wet”. He had a love of food, and enjoyed cooking, especially his famous fish chowder which he shared with family and friends. He also enjoyed being near the sea; going fishing, taking cruises, and visiting Boothbay Harbor, Maine.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years: Charlotte Blanchard of Keene, three sons: Timothy Lepisto and his wife Patricia of Keene, Thomas Lepisto and his wife Lois of Lebanon, Maine, and Jay Blanchard and his wife Lisa of Keene, four granddaughters whom he adored: Darcey Adams and her husband David, Casey Lepisto, Nicole Blanchard, and Kathryn Blanchard, four great-grandchildren: Graeson Adams, Hayden Adams, Griffin Caruso, and Riley Caruso. He is also survived by his siblings: Millard Blanchard and his wife Lucille of New Smyrna, Florida, Theresa Hill of Swanzey, Pearl McKeon of Roxbury, NH, Clayton Blanchard and his wife Nancy of Martin, GA, Leonard Blanchard and his wife Mary of Roxbury, NH, Gertrude Bruder and her husband Timothy of Mesa, AZ, Joyce Blanchard of Mesa, AZ, Nancy Blanchard of Roxbury, NH, Donna Kujawa and her husband Bill of Manchester, NH, Amos Blanchard and his wife Marilyn of York, ME, his sister-in-law Sylvia Blanchard of Keene and many nieces, nephews, and extended family members. He is predeceased by his parents, his brothers: Arthur Blanchard and Milton Blanchard, his sister Beverly Punt, and his brothers-in-law John Mckeon, Alan Hill, and Lloyd Punt.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, December 16, 2016 at St. Bernard Church, Main Street, Keene, NH at 11 am. Burial will follow in the Monadnock View Cemetery, Park Ave, Keene. Family and friends are invited to call on the family on Thursday evening from 6 to 8 pm at the Foley Funeral Home, 49 Court Street, Keene, NH.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made out to the American Heart Association, Northeast Affiliate, 2 Wall Street, Manchester, NH, 03101, or to the National Kidney Association of MA, RI, NH & VT, 85 Astor Ave, Suite 2, Norwood, MA, 02461.
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