William James Blanchard
William James Blanchard
Peacefully in Hazeldean, Kanata, Ottawa on 2 October 2018 in his 99th year. Beloved husband of the late Catherine Evelyn McCrank (1919-1994), whose passing preceded his by 24 years to the day. Fondly remembered by their son, Richard (Melanie) and daughters Bonnie (Jim) and Debbie (Jim). Grandfather of Lana, Eric, Christopher, Crystal and Jesse; great-grandfather of Tia, Dustin, Evelyn, Michael, William and Thomas; and great-great-grandfather of Amirah. Son of the late James and Constance Blanchard of Scarborough and brother of the late Mrs. Connie Slade of Milton, Ontario, with whom he emigrated from London, England to Montreal in 1924. In the 1930s, William served with the 17th Duke of York’s Royal Canadian Hussars and later the 2nd Montreal Regiment R.C.A. when he worked days as an aircraft welder with Noorduyn Aviation. During WWII, he trained with the RCAF in Canada and England. From shortly after the landings in France in June 1944 he served in aircraft salvage operations on forward fighter airfields across northwest Europe until August 1945. A printer-compositor by trade, he worked with the Canadian Government Printing Bureau in Ottawa-Hull for 36 years before a 13-year engagement with the Canadian Corps of Commissionaires. A long-time resident of Hazeldean, he also served a term as Goulbourn Township school trustee, member of the Kanata Committee of Adjustment and for many years as people’s warden of St. Paul’s Church Hazeldean. William enjoyed the family house he built on Young Road, gardening, collecting stamps and coins, league bowling and, before Evelyn died, English country dancing. In later years, he lived independently in Arnprior, Ontario.
The family wishes to thank the Arnprior & District Family Health Team, Island View Retirement Suites, Arnprior, Champlain Community Care and the staff and volunteers of the Ruddy-Shenkman Hospice, Kanata. A Christian service and interment were at Maple Grove Cemetery, Hazeldean.
In memory of William, please consider a donation to Hospice Care Ottawa, 114 Cameron Ave., Ottawa K1S 0X1; condolences at www.tubmanfuneralhomes.com
