Donald Graham Blanchard

The kind and faithful heart of Donald Graham Blanchard went to rest among family and friends on January 3, 2025. He was 93 years old. Donald, Don, or “Skip”, was born in Abington, PA on October 29, 1931 to Donald T. and Jean F. (Paul) Blanchard of Canterbury, NH. His christening in Canterbury, attached him to his native roots, as well as his roots in spiritual faith.

His life journey grew in many directions as he committed himself to family, community, country, and God. Don was married in 1957, and is survived by his wife of 67 years, Gertrude Ann Blanchard of Laconia, NH. They enjoyed life in Henniker, and had five children, nine grandchildren, and four great grandchildren, whom he meticulously remembered in mealtime prayers.

He is survived by his children: Matthew T. (and Rita Gleason) Blanchard of Hopkinton, NH; Dawn P. Blanchard (and Donald Goss, Jr.) of Henniker, NH, James A. Blanchard of Lebanon, NH, Jonathan D. (and Kimberly McCauley) Blanchard of Orcutt, CA, and Deanna L. Blanchard of Swan Valley, ID.

His grandchildren and great grandchildren include: Jonathan (Thann) M. (and Laura) Blanchard of Jacksonville, FL; MacKenzie T. (and Melody) Blanchard and son, Julian, of Jacksonville, FL; Alyssa B. Goss of Henniker, NH; Ryan B. (and Jaidlyn) Goss with sons, Sawyer and Bennett, of Henniker, NH; Bethany Blanchard of Lebanon, NH, Andrew (and Abigail) Blanchard and daughter, Jane, of Lebanon, NH; Nathan (and soon to be, Jessica) Blanchard of Enfield, NH, Benjamin (and Mireille) Blanchard of Santa Paula, CA, and Madison Blanchard of San Francisco, CA.

He was predeceased by his parents and brothers, James Paul (and Vesta Spinney) Blanchard, and Alan Frank (and Elizabeth Durant) Blanchard. Through them he leaves many dear nieces and nephews and affiliated loved ones.

Shining the light of the Lord was a primary ambition. As a son, tide pool explorer, airman, husband, father, teacher, civil engineer, fireman, land surveyor, farmer, hunter and skier, he carried this light in his presence. The paraphrased words of God in Genesis 15:2 “Fear not Abram, I am your shield and protector” hung in his heart.

As a Sophomore at the University of New Hampshire (UNH) he signed up for the draft. He served as his brother Jim’s best man, before leaving for Japan in 1954. In the US Air Force, he rose to a rank of Master Sergeant in what he described as various “unglorified” positions. Summiting Japan’s 13,695 foot Mt. Fujiyama was a personal highlight.

He returned to the US, and UNH, where he met his wife-to-be, Ging, while working on a bachelor of science (BS) degree in Civil Engineering and interning with the NH Department of Transportation. Don and Ging married and had their first son, before moving to California where he obtained a Master of Science degree from the University of CA, Berkeley. Moving next to Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada, Don earned his first professorship with the University.

In 1963 the family moved to Henniker, and Don became a Professor of Civil Engineering for New England College (NEC). He led an effort to gain accreditation for NEC’s Civil Engineering program. The New England College, Campus History Series authored by Cynthia Martin Burns describes, “His low-key and practical problem-solving approach to engineering helped generations of students find their way into the engineering profession.” He taught his last class in the spring of 1996.

Moving to Henniker also opened the door to a 61-year fellowship with the Henniker Congregational Church. He was unloading the moving truck when the Reverend Edward Lewis arrived to request he lead the Pilgrim Fellowship program. He later taught Sunday School and acted as the Sunday School Superintendent. A morning Bible study left him thinking about teaching the Bible to college students? Within a few days he was approached by another church member, and asked to initiate an on-campus Bible Study. The NEC Bible Study group bloomed.

For over two decades Don was a member of the Henniker Fire Department. He was the Merrimack County Deputy Forest Fire Warden for six years, and later the Assistant Fire Chief beside Chief Ben Ayer. In 1987 he was inducted into the Worcester Polytechnic Institute's Gamma Chapter of the Salamander Honorary Society for Fire Protection Engineering. Pursuing speciality certifications he participated in fire investigations and fire protection planning.

He was a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and the New Hampshire Land Surveyors Association (NHLSA). Working independently as a Land Surveyor and Engineering Consultant during the summer months, he often employed his students, children, and sometimes their friends, to collect the field data points needed to create survey maps. Born to farming, and a farmer himself, time in the outdoors was a welcome blessing aside from the black flies and mosquitos.

Living the idyllic and sometimes challenging lives of NH hill farmers, Don and Ging owned 40-acres on Foster Hill, and named it Butternut Ridge. Don hunted and raised farm animals. Under Don’s guidance, the family ran a sap line to collect and boil down to maple syrup. Vegetable gardens provided abundantly, and there were often a ridiculous amount of potatoes because, "I don't know, I can grow them well." He put up cord wood, and cut loose hay that the family joined to rake and pitch into hay mows. After haying, the kids were treated to a swim at the family camp on French's Pond. Fireflies and hornpout fishing filled the summer nights.

To commemorate his love of life and service to his community, calling hours will be held at the Bennett Funeral Home, 209 North Main Street, Concord, NH on Thursday, February 20th from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M.. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Friday, February 21st at the St. Theresa Parish, 158 Old Hopkinton Rd, Henniker, NH 03242.

His remains will be buried in a private service in Canterbury, NH later this spring.