Gerard N. “Gerry” Blanchard, 85, of Woonsocket passed away peacefully Saturday December 9, 2023 at Landmark Medical Center. He was the loving husband of the late Claire M. (Robert) Blanchard. Gerry and Claire were married on May 27, 1961 at St. Ambrose Church in Albion and shared over 55 years mutually devoted to each other until her passing in 2016.
Born and raised in Woonsocket he was a son of the late Leo and Yvonne (Bernier) Blanchard. He was a lifelong resident of the city. Gerry attended St. Francis High School in Biddeford Maine.
He was a United States Army veteran serving during the Vietnam and Cold War era.
Gerry worked as a mechanic at Health-Tex in Cumberland for many years. He was later employed as a machine operator at St. Gobain Corporation until his retirement.
Gerry was a longtime communicant of Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Church at Holy Trinity Parish. He enjoyed participating in activities at the Woonsocket Senior Center. Gerry was proud of his French-Canadian heritage and enjoyed attending the Parlons Francis program at the Woonsocket Public Library.
Gerry will be remembered as a devoted father and grandfather. He was a caring and kind person who exemplified the term gentleman in every sense of the word.
Gerry is survived by his two daughters Michelle Parkhurst and her husband Robert of Bellingham and Nicole Leech and her husband Matthew of Jacksonville, FL. He was the proud Pepere of Riley and Tristan Leech. He was the brother of Monique Sitnik and her husband Henry of Woonsocket, cousins Jacqueline Robert, Anna Gamache and Raymond Blanchard along with many nieces and nephews and their families. He was the companion for the past several years of Jacqueline Daigle of Woonsocket.
Relatives and friends are invited to honor, remember and pray for Gerry at his funeral on Thursday December 14, 2023 at 10:00 am from the Menard-Lacouture Funeral Home, 127 Carrington Ave. Woonsocket followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 am in Holy Trinity Parish (OLQM Church) on Park Ave. in Woonsocket. Gerry will be laid to rest alongside his beloved wife Claire at Resurrection Cemetery in Cumberland with Military Honors. Visiting hours are Wednesday December 13th from 3-6 pm.
www.meanrdfuneralhome.com