CHICOPEE – Maurice J. Blanchard, 95, of Chicopee, was Called Safely Home on Saint Patrick’s Day, Monday, March 17, 2014. He passed into Eternal Life at Renaissance Manor on Cabot in Holyoke surrounded by all the memories he loved and cherished. He was born at home on Maple Street in Chicopee on January 12, 1919, a beloved son of the late Cyril J. and Georgianna (Demers) Blanchard. He was raised and educated in Chicopee and was a lifelong resident of the city. He served his country in the United States Navy during World War II aboard the USS Cumberland Sound and attained the rank of Aviation Machinist Mate First Class. He received the Asiatic Pacific Theatre Medal, the American Area Medal and the World War II Victory Medal. Following his military service, he returned to the area and was employed for many years as a laboratory technician at the Monsanto Chemical Company in the Indian Orchard section of Springfield. He was a member of the Monsanto Union, the Monsanto 25-Year Club and the American Legion Post 275 in Chicopee. He was a communicant of Sainte Rose de Lima Church in Chicopee. He leaves his beloved wife and best friend, Bertha E. (Oakland) Blanchard. They were married on April 24, 1948 at the former Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Chicopee and were blessed with nearly 66 years of happiness together. Besides his wife, he leaves his loving son, Lawrence P. Blanchard and his wife, Phyllis, of Carroll, IA; his two cherished grandchildren, Joseph Blanchard and his wife, Heather, and Laura Frost; his two cherished great grandchildren, Charles and Benjamin Frost; his dear brother, Ernest P. Blanchard and his wife, Cecile, of Florida, and Louis A. Blanchard of Mechanicsburg, PA; his two dear sisters, Lillian Denis and Joyce Blanchard, both of Chicopee; and his many dear nephews, nieces, cousins, and extended members of the Blanchard and Oakland families. Besides his parents, he was also predeceased by his loving son, Thomas M. Blanchard who was Called Home on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2004; his two dear brothers, Gerard and Richard; and his four dear sisters, Alice, Cecile, Jeanne and Olive. His relatives and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial on Friday morning, March 21, 2014 at 9:30 a.m. at Sainte Rose de Lima Church, 600 Grattan Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. His burial with US Navy Military Honors will follow the Mass at Saint Patrick Cemetery, 168 Fuller Road, Chicopee, MA 01020. There are no visiting hours. His funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the St. Pierre – Phaneuf Aldenville Chapels, (413-532-9806), 13 Dale Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. His family has requested that memorial donations be made in his memory to the Soldiers Home in Holyoke, 110 Cherry Street, Holyoke, MA 01040. For more details, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com