Raymond S. Blanchard

DELMAR- Raymond S. Blanchard, 87, of Albany died Friday, May 29, 2015 at the Good Samaritan Lutheran Health Care Center. He is survived by his wife, Diane, a nephew, Ronald Phillips, a niece, Kathyanne Wilson, Robert Gardiner of Enfield CT, Diane's sons, R. Aleph Asline and partner Don Paul Shannon of Albany and two surrogate sons, Daniel Kinley of Cohoes and Michael Stricos of Las Vegas, NV. He was predeceased by his wife of 55 years, Dorothy O. Blanchard. Mr. Blanchard was born November 20, 1927 in New London, CT and adopted by the late Carroll F. and Agnes N. Blanchard. He retired in 1985 as the Executive VP of N.Y.S. Public Benefit Corporation. He served the community on many Boards, was the recipient of the 1997 Third Age Award, and the 2001 Ebby Patterson Award and received a Proclamation from the County of Albany for his volunteer work in Health and Human Services. He was a 60+ year member of Mt. Vernon Lodge, F. & A.M. and served as the District Deputy Grand Master of the Albany Masonic District in 1975-1976. He remarked that he would like to be remembered "as a good guy". A Memorial Service will be held 11 am Tuesday, June 16th at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, 16 Elsmere Ave., Delmar.