Wilfred Michael Blanchard, beloved husband, father, grandfather and high school science teacher, died Thursday, July 4, 2017, at his home in Palmer, Massachusetts. Bill is survived by Evelyn (Leonard) Blanchard, his devoted wife of 27 years; his son Kevin M. Blanchard and his wife Christy (Law) of Barrington, RI; his daughter Shauna Blanchard Mbangah and her husband Nelson of Silver Spring, MD; and step-daughter Shelly Pietskowski and her husband John of Chicopee, MA; his grandchldren Mayah and Dylan Mbangah, step grandchildren Asia, John and Brittany Pietskowski; his step great granddaughter Eliza Jane; his sister-in-law Shirley Blanchard of Exton, Pennsylvania, the wife of his younger brother Stephen J. Blanchard who predeceased him in 2011; many nieces and nephews in the Blanchard and Leonard families; many sisters-in-law in the Leonard family; and special cousins in his mother’s (Kusek) family. He was also predeceased by his step-son James (Plasse) Perkins in 2011. “Junior” or “Willie” to his close friends and family while growing up on Taylor Street in Chicopee Falls, MA, Bill was born on June 20, 1942, to Wilfred R. and Anna (Kusek) Blanchard, the son and daughter of Québécois and Polish immigrants. Bill spent his youth riding his bike, playing baseball, fishing, and shooting at targets down by the Chicopee River with his Red Rider air rifle. He loved the Red Sox and once saw Ted Williams play at Fenway Park. “Bla” to his colleagues and friends at Longmeadow High School where he taught biology and chemistry for 34 years, Bill graduated from Chicopee High School and attended American International College in Springfield, MA. He was the first member of his family to attend college. He graduated from AIC with a bachelor’s and a master’s degree with the intention of pursuing a career in medicine; however, his calling was to be a science educator. He began his teaching career at Minnechaug High School in Wilbraham, MA, and retired from Longmeadow in 2007. He also worked part-time as a realtor for DASAP, Inc. in Chicopee, MA, selling mobile homes for 20 years. “Dad” to his son Kevin and daughter Shauna, Bill’s hard work and love for his children made it possible for them both to attend college and pursue meaningful careers. In addition to his commitment to his family, he was an active, lifetime member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks (Lodge #1849, Chicopee, MA) and the Knights of Columbus Council #4794 (St. Christopher’s in Brimfield, MA). “Bill” to his wife Evelyn, he found and married the love of his life in 1989. Evelyn and Bill’s family wish to thank the nurses and aides of Baystate Health Hospice Services for the care with which they provided him. There will be no public memorial service as per Bill and Evelyn’s wishes. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that a charitable donation be made to the Elks National Foundation (https://enf.elks.org/donate) in Bill’s name to honor him.