Blanchard, Donald E.

Description

Donald E. Blanchard was born June 29, 1925, in Manhattan, NY, a son of Harold and Georgia Jacoby Blanchard. He had one older sister Jacqueline. In Rye his family lived at 48 Oakland Gardens and were members of the Presbyterian Church.

Donald was a Rye High School Graduate, Class of 1943. In school he was a star athlete in three sports football, basketball and track.

Donald enlisted and served in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II. He served 28 months in the South Pacific as a radio operator with the 7th Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion. (See Muster Rolls)

The 7th Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion (7th AAA Bn) was a United States Marine Corps antiaircraft unit that served during World War II. Formed in 1940 as the 7th Defense Battalion, its original mission was to provide air and coastal defense for advanced naval bases. It was one of first five defense battalions deployed in support of the color-coded war plans that called for the defense of Hawaii and other outlying United States possessions in the Pacific Ocean. These five battalions were nicknamed the “Rainbow Five.” During the war the battalion defended Tutuila, Upolu, Savai’i and Nanumea and took part in combat operations at Anguar. The 7th was decommissioned before the end of World War II on 2 August 1945.

Donald was honorably discharge on November 29, 1945. (See Discharge Record)

After the war he returned to school and was a graduate of Saint Lawrence University. Donald was employed by Ecolab for 37 years. He married Elvira Campany in 2001. An avid golfer, Donald also enjoyed music and dancing, which is where he met Elvira.

Donald E. Blanchard, 88, passed away peacefully September 9, 2013, at Upstate Medical Center, with his family by his side, where his caregivers worked tirelessly.

Besides his wife, he is survived by his sons and daughters-in-law, Skip and Edie, and Tim and Sandy; granddaughter, Taylor; grandson, Ian and wife, Pearl; stepchildren and spouses, Kathy and Steve, and Lori and Dan; step-grandchildren, Brian and Amber; step-great-grandchildren, Joey and Emma; sister, Mary; several other family members; and special friends, Melanie, Ro, Shawn, Lauren and Melissa. He was predeceased by his wives, Julie and Marcella.

Funeral service was held at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 714 Washington St., Utica, with Rev. Dr. Robert G. Umidi, Pastor, officiating.

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