CHICOPEE – Robert P. Blanchard, 91, of the Fairview section of Chicopee, was Called Safely Home on Tuesday, April 19, 2016. He passed into Eternal Life at Birch Gardens Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Chicopee surrounded by the care and comfort of his loving family. He was born in Holyoke on April 24, 1924, a beloved son of the late William and Stella (Gauthier) Blanchard. He was raised in South Hadley and lived there for many years before moving to Chicopee around 1953. He served his country in the United States Navy during World War II and attained the rank of Seaman Apprentice. He was employed by the former Springfield Armory, the Plastic Coatings Company in Holyoke and Scott Graphics in South Hadley. A printer by trade, he also worked for many years at the former Holyoke Transcript Telegram Newspaper. He was last employed as a Maintenance Supervisor for the Chicopee Public Schools and worked mainly at the former Kirby School and the Bellamy Elementary School. He was a communicant of the former Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Willimansett where he was a member of the League of the Sacred Heart. He was currently a communicant of Saint Anne Church in Chicopee. He was a member and Past Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus South Hadley Council 1721 and a member of the Archbishop Williams Assembly Knights of Columbus Fourth Degree. He was also a member of the Apostolate of the Suffering at Mary Farm in Palmer. During his leisure time, he enjoyed fishing. A perfectionist, he was passionate about his work, his home and his yard. He was meticulous with everything he did in life. Most of all, he was a wonderful, husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather who adored his family and showered them with his love and affection which was returned to him a thousand fold. Besides his parents, he was also predeceased by his loving son, Gerard L. “Gerry” Blanchard who was Called Home on July 7, 2013; his two dear sisters, Elizabeth Doherty and Violet Rochon; his two dear brothers-in-law, Joseph Doherty and Charles Brown; and his dear sister-in-law, Lucille (Forget) Perreault. He leaves his beloved wife and best friend, Therese M. (Perreault) Blanchard. They were married on October 24, 1953 at the former Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Willimansett and were blessed with over 62 years of happiness together. Besides his beloved wife, he leaves his cherished grandson, Matthew J. Blanchard of Chicopee; his cherished granddaughter, Melissa A. Blanchard and her fiancé, Bryan Russell, of South Hadley; his two cherished twin great-grandsons, Jayden Patrick Blanchard and Reid Roland Blanchard; his two dear brothers, Richard Blanchard and his wife, Phyllis, of Boynton Beach, FL and Ralph Blanchard and his wife, Nancy, of Holyoke; his dear sister, Claire Brown of Alexandria, VA; his two dear brothers-in-law, Gregoire Rochon of Hadley and Roger Perreault of Venice, FL; and his many dear nephews, nieces, cousins, friends and extended members of the Blanchard and Perreault families. His relatives and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial on Thursday, April 28, 2016 at 10 a.m. at Saint Anne Church, 30 College Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. His burial with United States Navy Military Honors will follow the Mass at Sainte Rose Cemetery, 49 Olsen Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. There are no visiting hours at the St. Pierre – Phaneuf Fairview Chapels, (413-533-3307), 506 Britton Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. His family has requested that, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made in his memory to Saint Anne Church, 30 College Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. For more details, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com