GUILDERLAND – Theodore “Al” Blanchette, 86, of Guilderland, passed away peacefully with his beloved family at his side on Thursday, January 21, 2016. Al was born in Albany, the son of the late Andrew Blanchet and Regina DuBruy Blanchet. He lived his entire life in the same neighborhood. He served as a Seabee in the U.S. Navy just after World War II, and was then employed for eight years by the laborers union, and then for 30 years as a mason with the Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Local 2. Al then was employed at the State University at Albany as a mason, retiring in 1995. Al loved to fish, and he was always available to lend a hand. He was a lifelong communicant and an active member of All Saints Catholic Church and the former St. Margaret Mary’s Church.
Al is survived by the love of his life, Jeanette M. Russell Blanchette; his children Nancy Bombard (Bob) of Colonie, Judith (Bob Jones) of Albany, Denise Heiserman (James) of Guilderland, Regina Burby (Mark) of Guilderland, and Timothy Blanchette (Kathleen) of Guilderland; his brother Victor L. Blanchet of Albany;
his sister Regina Helm (Kenneth) of Guilderland; his sister in law Marion Blanchet of Slingerlands; his grandchildren James Masa (Angelina), Annette Seymour (Carlos), Nicole Felix (Juan), Tristan Prusky, Blake Prusky (Allison M.), Antoinette Williams (David), Gretchen Graydon (Mark), Brittany Heiserman, Jesse Burby (Casidhe), Shelby Burby, Christopher Blanchette (Alyse S.), and Rebecka Blanchette (John C.); his great grandchildren Ryan, Gabriella, Marcello, Yaz, Xavier, Mia, James, Richard, Lucia, Joseph, Alexander, Jocelyn, Tiernan, Lily Rose, Charlie, Leo, Jackson, and Cameron; and by many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, cousins in Canada, and many loyal friends. He was predeceased by his son Alan Blanchette; his grandson Tyler Heiserman; his brother Leo Edmund Blanchet; his sisters Beatrice Czwakiel and Annette Phelan
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in All Saints Catholic Church, 16 Homestead St., Albany (behind CVS) Tuesday morning at 9:00am. A Celebration of Life service will be held in the church Monday evening at 7:30pm. Relatives and friends are invited, and may call at All Saints Catholic Church on Monday from 3:00pm-7:30pm. Interment will be in Our Lady of Angels Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Albany Damien Center, 646 State St., Albany, NY 12203. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Hans Funeral Home, Albany. To leave a message of condolence for the family or obtain directions to the church, please visit www.HansFuneralHome.com.
christine colagiovanni
January 24, 2016 at 6:23 amI’m deeply saddened for the loss of a wonderful kind gentle man as he was , the lives he touched were beyond his family this man opened and welcomed me as part of his family and i will truly never forget the way it felt to be apart of such an awesome family .. be at peace god bless and thank you poppy for showing so many of us what its like to be a leader of the family! you will be forever in many hearts including mine. xoxox RIP
Jo and Clayton Baker
January 24, 2016 at 10:23 amSo very glad we got to meet Al. He was a very kind man. He made us from the UK feel so very welcome at his and Jeanettes house. He has been a great support to my brother, Mark, who I know will miss him, as will all of Al’s family. May you rest in peace watching over your lovely family.
Les & Millie Blanchard
January 24, 2016 at 12:23 pmJeanette our thoughts and prayers go out to you and the family Al was a great man and will be missed.
The Moxon, Murphy and Swahlan Families
January 24, 2016 at 6:01 pmDearest Blanchette Family, We are so sorry to hear and know you are in our thoughts and prayers. May you find comfort in conversations and peace in your loving memories.
Larry Kosier
January 24, 2016 at 6:34 pmDear Jeanette, Denise, Tim, and the entire Blanchett Family: I was very saddened to hear of your husband, fathers passing. I just met him,and you, Jeanette, last year, but wish I had known him longer, I have heard nothing but good things about him. My thoughts and prayers to all of you to find Gods Peace in all your special memories of Al. May you rest in Gods Peace also, Al…… Sincerely,
Larry Kosier ( SUNY Albany, Grds. Crew)
vincent and rita rosenthal
January 25, 2016 at 5:56 amjeanette and family , we are so sad that al is gone he was a wonderful man and we will miss him even if we didn’t get to see the both of you much. He was always kind and giving to us i will never forget him.
Love always;
Rita and Vince
Sharon Majkut
January 25, 2016 at 8:22 amDenise,
I’m so sorry to hear of the passing of your dad. I know he will be greatly missed. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers
Darlene and Mike Leto
January 25, 2016 at 3:19 pmJeanette and Family,
Mike and I are sadden to hear about the loss of your husband and father. Al was a very kind man and will be missed by all. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you and your Family.
Mike and Darlene Leto.
Phil and Mary DiNovo
January 25, 2016 at 7:27 pmDear Jeanette and family, We are so sorry to hear of the passing of “Al.” When I would speak to him in church he had such a wonderful smile and I know he was a great man. He did so much for our parish. May God welcome him and give him eternal life and may he help you through this very difficult time. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Phil DiNovo
Ray Moran
January 26, 2016 at 10:22 amI’ll always remember Al as the guy who was there to help with a smile. With his passing we lose another example of the old solid work ethic.
Please know my thoughts are with you.
Jessica Tabora
January 26, 2016 at 12:10 pmDear Jeanette and family, I’m so sorry to hear of Al’s passing. He was such a kind man, always caring to know how me and my family were doing. His genuine kindness and compassion will always be remembered. May he rest in peace, my thoughts are with your friends and family
Bill Wetterau
January 29, 2016 at 9:00 amNancy and all I was very sorry to hear of your loss. I’ll never forget his great sense of humor through all of the silly pranks we played on him years ago. We will all miss him.
mary femia
January 30, 2016 at 5:23 pmAt a church or at the stores. Al was a very friendly man and a pleasure to speak with when we met at church or at the stores. I had the honor to offer him communion and pray with him at St.Peters Hospital. Al was a wonderful man.