Paul W. Blanchard

Paul W. Blanchard of Ithaca, NY died at the Hospicare Residence in Ithaca on May 26th at the age of 90.

He was born October 7,1930 in Ithaca, NY, the only child of Paul Sr and Ruth Hart Blanchard. He attended Central Elementary, Boynton Junior High, and was Ithaca High Class of 1948. He stayed in Ithaca for further education, obtaining a Masters in Civil Engineering Degree from Cornell University, Class of 1952, while playing varsity basketball and baseball. He was an officer in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers from 1953 to 1955, spending a year each in Korea and Japan. Upon completion of service he joined HH Robertson in Pittsburgh, PA and spent 40 years there serving in sales and marketing. His locations while with Robertson included New York City, Syracuse, Chicago, Pittsburgh, and Stamford, Connecticut where he retired in 1995. His many interests during this period included basketball and baseball with IHS, and Cornell and Far East Airforce teams during his service tenure. Singing was another passion noted by his participation in Episcopalian choirs in Ithaca, White Plains, Manlius, and Barrington Hills, IL. The highlight was in Manlius, being the lead in the Four Closures, a championship barbershop quartet group sponsored by a bank no less. In his ‘retirement years’ he worked part-time as a sales rep for HH Robertson floor systems because he still loved the work and the people interaction. With more free time available he became a political junkie where he practiced his good listening skills but was not afraid to express his sentiments. He achieved his goal, moving back to Ithaca in 2002 when his wife Suzy retired. He was a proud and devoted Cornellian his whole life, supporting athletics, reunions, and his class, and earning the top alumni award for service in 2019. He was a long-time member of the Cornell rebounders club, faithfully attending both men’s and women’s basketball games. He also served on the SUNY Cortland Foundation board for 12 years, his Mother’s alma mater. His life was marked by a keen intellect, consistently positive attitude, open mind, love of learning, willingness to change gears, collecting of friends, and a love of reading, socializing, golf, athletics, happy hour, the Sunday NY Times crossword, and simple pleasures.

He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Suzy, and 4 children; Steve (Peggy), Lake Zurich, IL; Jim (Mary), Cary, IL; Betsy, Fort Myers, FL; and Renee (Ross) Becak, Austin Texas. His 5 grandchildren are Erin (Andrew), Derek (Jackie), Matt (Abbey), Kevin (Lindsey) and Reese. His 4 great grandchildren are Annabelle, Noa, Emilee, and Parker, born June 9th, 14 days after Paul departed this world. He was predeceased by his parents and his first wife Anne.

We will have a service on Saturday, June 26th at 9:30 a.m. at St John’s Episcopal Church in Ithaca, with interment to follow, and a celebration of life reception from             12:30 p.m.– 3:30 p.m. at RaNic/CCI.  Please email [email protected] with your intent to attend the service (so we can be Covid compliant) and/or to obtain live stream details. Online condolences can be left at www.Bangsfuneralhome.com . Donations in Paul’s memory may be made to:

Hospicare Ithaca - https://www.hospicare.org/donate/donationform/

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