Whitman – Edward F. “Eddie” Blanchard, Sr. 80 beloved husband for 61 years to Beverly E. (Heddericg) Blanchard died Tuesday November 18th following a period of failing health.
Born in Whitman, son of the late Walter and Edna (Smith) Blanchard he was a lifelong resident of the town. He was a graduate of Whitman High School, Class of 1946 and a graduate of the New England Institute of Anatomy, Sanitary Science of Embalming Class of 1971.
He was a Sergeant 1st Class in the US Army serving overseas during the Korean War and earning a Korean Service Medal with 3 Bronze Stars for his service.
Before entering the funeral business, he was a mechanic for many years at the former Randall’s Gas Station in Whitman.
He was a former member of the Whitman Kiwanis Club, and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and a former Whitman DPW Commissioner. He was also a member of the Massachusetts Funeral Directors from 1973 till 2006.
In 1973 he and his wife Beverly founded the Blanchard Funeral Chapel in Whitman and continued to operate the family owned funeral home with compassion and dignity until their retirement in 2006. He was kind and well respected by all who knew him. He will be truly missed.
Eddie enjoyed fishing and working around his yard and home.
In addition to his wife of 61 years he is survived by his son Edward F. Blanchard, Jr. and his wife Deborah of Groton, his daughter Jolene A. Tonello and her husband Robert of Whitman, and his brother Walter W. Blanchard, Jr. of Plymouth. He was the proud grandfather of Jennifer Thielbar, Sarah Blanchard, and Brian and Brittany Tonello. He is also survived by a niece and nephew. He was the brother of the late Paul M. Blanchard.
His services will be held Saturday November 22nd at 1 PM in the Blanchard Funeral Chapel Plymouth Street (Rt. 58 at the rotary) Whitman. Private burial will be held following cremation. Family and friends are invited to attend visiting hours to be held Friday November 21st from 3-7 PM. Donations in his name may be made to the Whitman Food Pantry C/O Holy Ghost Church 518 Washington Street Whitman, MA 02382 or C/O Bob Hogan 44 Blake Street Whitman, MA 02382 or to the Queen Anne Nursing Home, 50 Recreation Park Dr., Hingham, MA 02043