Michael E.J. Blastos

Michael E.J. Blastos 80, of Keene, one of Keene’s longest-serving and one of the most beloved mayors, passed away peacefully at the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, NH on Monday evening, August 12, 2013 after a sudden illness.

He was born in Malden, MA on September 13, 1932 the son of James K. and Sophie A. (Bardis) Blastos.

Mike grew up and attended schools in Windsor, VT and was a graduate of Windsor High School. He attended the University of Maryland, Florida State University and was a graduate of the University of Vermont.

He served with the US Air Force as a Staff Sergeant with the 3550th Combat Crew Training Group at Moody Air Force Base in Valdosta, Georgia. He was selected as “Airman of the Month” in December of 1954. This honor is only given to those “outstanding Airmen who excel in the qualities of military bearing, neatness, efficiency, courtesy and character and to those who are highly qualified to perform their job”. His Colonel stated that “men of this caliber are a valuable asset to the United States Air Force”. He was Honorably Discharged in 1960.

Mike was the driving force in the family, a great leader of the community, and kind and generous to all. For over 24 years, he served the “Great City of Keene, NH’ with distinction, everlasting passion, and commitment. He was Keene’s first four-term mayor in more than 100 years.

Membership: St George Greek Orthodox Church, Gordon-Bissell Post 4 American Legion in Keene, the Keene Benevolent, Protective Order of Elks #927 the Keene Lions Club and was an honorary member of the Keene Kiwanis Club. Mike served as a selectman in Ward 1 in the 1960’s and as a City Councilor in the mid ‘70’s and was re-elected in 1986 and served until 2000 and in his 18 years of service he never missed a single meeting. In 2000 he became a member of the newly former Heritage Commission and spearheaded the Save the Mill Buildings program for which the State of NH awarded him the Preservation Alliance Award. He helped to establish the Downtown Historic District where over 200 buildings were surveyed. The City of Keene was awarded a grant to Preserve and save the Cheshire Railroad Stone Arch Bridge. In 2001 he served on the taskforce on childcare and created the Child First Program working with the New Hampshire Governor. In 2005 when Keene was spared major damage from the flood, Mike manned the command post at city hall under the direction of the Emergency Management director Gary Lamoureux. He assisted in helping to relocate families in need of housing and food.

Mike served on the Sundance Commission – a group of 47 mayors in small communities. Some of the accomplishments included; adding a bicycle patrolman, energy audit of city buildings, green gas emissions survey, the new sewer treatment plant and several other energy projects.

He was instrumental in setting up the first comprehensive Master Plan Committee, establishing the German City Partnership and celebrating the City of Keene’s 250th Anniversary celebration. He was also instrumental in the Downtown Beautification Project, the City of Keene’s Roundabouts, outdoor basket ball courts and helping the Swamp Bats to come to Keene.

Mike was involved in many endeavors to make Keene and the surrounding community’s a better place to live. He also received many awards and accolades for his untiring efforts. He was a gracious host and was a true entrepreneur. He was the proud owner of the Pub Restaurant and Caterers in Keene which he operated since 1969.

He is survived by his wife of 10 years, Carolyn (Chaisson) Blastos of Keene; four daughters: Sophia M. Santerre and her husband Paul A. of York, ME, Merri E.B. Howe and her husband Kenneth N. of Keene, NH, Stephannie K Cyr and her husband Gregory B. of Exeter, RI, and Kimberly A. Ioannou and her husband Kosta of Nelson, NH; a brother, Alexander J. Blastos and his wife Lee Ann of Milford, NH, two sisters-in-law; Jean Blastos of Peabody, MA and Jacqueline Blastos of South Carolina; four grandchildren; Branden M.D. Howe, Dustin R. Howe, Cameron R.M. Cyr, Aiden M. Ioannou, several step grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins. He was pre-deceased by his parents, his brothers; Louis Blastos and Col. Constantine J. Blastos, US Army Ret.; and a sister Kathryn Costes and her husband George Costes.

A Liturgy of the Word will be celebrated in St. Bernard’s Church, 185 Main Street, Keene, NH on Friday morning at 10:00 a.m. All are invited. Burial will be private. There are no public visiting hours.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of RI in honor of Michael's grandson Cameron RM Cyr. Cameron was diagnosed with Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML) in 2011. The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) funded the research that lead to the discovery of a medicine called Gleevec which Cameron takes daily. Today, Cameron is in remission and living a healthy life. Without the support of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society none of this would have been possible. Michael always put family first and nothing would make him happier and more proud than to for memorial contributions be made to: Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Rhode Island, 1210 Pontiac Avenue, Cranston, RI 02920 or by email to the web site at www.lls.org/ri.

The Foley Funeral Home, 49 Court Street, Keene, NH is assisting the family with these arrangements.