Obituary of Robert E Blanchard

Robert E. Blanchard, 85, of Peabody, died Sunday afternoon at the Seacoast Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Gloucester following a brief illness. He was the devoted husband of the late Louise A. (Bolla) Blanchard, with whom he enjoyed 38 years of marriage. Born in Salem, he was the son of the late Samuel E. and Mary C. (Loftus) Blanchard. He was raised and educated in Salem and was a graduate of Salem High School, class of 1954. Following his marriage to Louise, he moved to Peabody where he had resided for the past 55 years. Bob worked for over 39 years at the former Parker Brothers plant in Salem and was a member of the Parker Games Quarter Century Club. He also served as an usher at St. John the Baptist Church in Peabody for many years. Bob was a kind, honest, and hard-working family man who always sought to do the right thing and who put the needs of others before his own. A supportive and loving husband, father and grandfather, a faithful and helpful friend, Bob was well-liked by all who came to know him. Bob is survived by his two sons and daughters-in-law, Paul A. and Kyle M. Blanchard, and Michael R. and Karen E. Blanchard, all of Peabody; his two daughters, Lisa M. Bingham and her long-time companion,Thomas Mooney, of Wynantskill, NY, and Denise A. Blanchard of Beverly; his two sisters, Sr. Mary Louise Blanchard, SND, of Ipswich, and Dorothy Moreland of Beverly; his four beloved grandchildren, Derek and Emma Blanchard of Peabody and Andrea and Meredith Bingham of NY; one niece, Julie Haskell of Marblehead, and one nephew, Timothy Moreland of Beverly, and their respective spouses and families; and many cousins. Bob’s family is sincerely thankful to the many dedicated caregivers at the Spectrum Adult Day Health Center in Beverly, the Roger B. Trask Adult Day Health Center in Peabody, the Seacoast Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Gloucester, and Element Care, who enhanced Bob’s life during his illness by providing him excellent care with kindness and compassion. Visiting hours will be held on Thursday from 4:00 until 8:00 PM at the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, 82 Lynn Street, Peabody, and his Funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday at 10:00 AM at St. John the Baptist Church, Peabody, to which relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Salem. All attendees are required to wear facial coverings and maintain social distancing. For directions and on-line obituary, visit www.ccbfuneral.com.