Paul H. Blanchette, Jr. was born in Hartford, Connecticut in 1942. He was the son of the late Paul and Anna (Francolini) Blanchette. He passed away on February 22, 2025, at Flagler Hospital in St. Augustine, FL. After graduating from Weaver High School in Hartford, he joined the U.S. Navy. Paul qualified in Submarines and proudly served aboard the USS Grouper as an Electrician’s Mate. After discharge, Paul graduated from the University of New Haven with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice. He was then employed by the Connecticut Department of Revenue as an Investigator. Paul later became a special agent with the Interstate Commerce Commission.
Paul moved to St. Augustine, FL in 2014. He made many friends, gave up his Yankee ways and found heaven. Paul was a member of the Florida Base Submarine Veterans in Palatka, FL. He was also a member of the Holland Club of Sub Vets.
Paul leaves his three nephews, John, Thomas (Lisa) and Kenneth (Debbie) Gorzkowski in Connecticut. He also leaves his great-nieces and great-nephews, Megan, Amy, Andrew, Brian and Leslie. In Florida, he leaves his special cousins who looked after him, Robert and Glenda Frawley and Priscilla Frawley Hull, all of St Augustine. He also leaves his special cousins, Teresa and Tom O'Neil of Wethersfield and Godsons, Nicholas Lanza and Brett O’Neil. Paul was predeceased by his sister and brother-in-law, Catherine and John Gorzkowski.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 29 at St. Patrick - St. Anthony Catholic Church, 285 Church St, Hartford. Everyone is asked to please go directly to the church. Burial with military honors will follow in Village Cemetery, Wethersfield. Those wishing may contribute to Paul’s memory to the Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, 295 Benham St, Hamden, CT 06514 or Hero’s Bridge, 98 Alexandria Pike, Suite 41, Warrenton, VA 20186. The D’Esopo Funeral Chapel, Wethersfield has been entrusted with the funeral arrangements. To share a memory of Paul, please visit www.desopofuneralchapel.com
