Eugene Joseph Blanchard, Jr.

Eugene Joseph Blanchard Jr, aged 87, passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 10th, 2023, at his family home in Metairie, Louisiana. “Gene” was born on February 05, 1936, to Aline Gautreaux and Eugene Blanchard in New Orleans, Louisiana. Gene attended St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School, Jesuit High School (Class of 1954), Loyola University (Bachelors of Science 1959), Louisiana State University (Masters of Science – Chemistry 1963). Between studies, Gene enlisted in the US Army Reserve, serving as an officer and tank commander in the Armored Division. Following his studies and military service, Gene joined the US Department of Agriculture’s Southern Regional Research Center where he excelled as a research chemist, filing many patents used by industry, and made numerous life-long friendships over his career.

Gene was your classic, righteous ‘family man’ who ‘walked the talk.’ He was a loving husband, devoting his life to Lauralie K. Blanchard for 54 years; a caring father to Brian J. Blanchard and Bradley P. Blanchard; and a caring grandfather to his six grandsons. He was a sportsman throughout his life. Various track & field events appealed to him from a young age at St. Anthony’s and at Jesuit where he frequently competed for the state championship in the ‘hop, skip and jump.’ But he was most proud to be part of the Jesuit Blue Jay State Football Championship team of 1953. In mid-life years, he could be seen on the basketball court of the Metairie YMCA and earned the nickname “Big Gene the Bumping Machine.” His Catholic faith was a cornerstone of his life and his belief in the unconditional love and mercy of Jesus Christ comforted him when his son Brad passed in 2018. Gene was a devoted parishioner of St. Angela Merici Church and frequent visitor to St. Louis King of France. Growing up, Gene was a pivotal figure to his younger brother Leland and little sister, Sue, with whom he spent time joyous time this past year.

Gene loved to combine his passions of family, travel and photography. He visited most of the US states on various road trips with his Uncle Albert, sister Sue or Lauralie and his boys. Although Brian and Ingrid had settled in Europe, Gene and Lauralie made numerous visits to European cities over the years, memorializing many wonders in Kodachrome. Gene even made it to Tanzania while Leland was in the Peace Corp.

Gene is survived by his wife Lauralie, son Brian and daughter-in-law Ingrid Lechantre, sister Sue, brother Leland and his six grandchildren: Thomas 23, Nicholas 21, Casey 19, Gene 19, Jeremy 17, and Tate 17. They will miss his wise counsel, his tender embraces, his witty jokes, and heart-warming smiles. Gene was a righteous man who we pray is in the embrace of the Lord and company of his parents and son.

Family, friends and others whose lives were touched by Gene are invited to celebrate his memory at a memorial service at St. Angela Merici Church (835 Melody Drive, Metairie, LA, 70002) on Tuesday June 20th 2023. A gathering of friends and family will begin at 10am, followed by Mass at 11am. Interment will follow directly after at Metairie Cemetery and then a reception at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home Event Center.