Joseph Louis Blanchard

With much sadness, the family of Joseph Louis Blanchard announces his passing on Wednesday, April 13, 2011. Joe was born on July 8, 1932, in New Orleans and grew up in Church Point. Joe graduated from Church Point High School and Delgado College in New Orleans, where he received his airframe&power plant and aircraft inspector's licenses. He was a Navy veteran and served as a torpedo man on the USS Philip during the Korean War. Joe worked at Baton Rouge Metro Airport from 1957 until his retirement in 2008. Joe spoke fluent French and could repair anything mechanical. He enjoyed cooking, Cajun music and watching the LSU Tigers play. Joe's greatest pleasure, however, was spending time with his family and his grandchildren, who brought him the greatest joy of all. Joe is survived by his wife of 53 years, Carol Olivier Blanchard; a son, Joseph Blanchard Jr., and his children, Megan, Amber and Joseph Blanchard III; daughter and son-in-law, Catherine and Bruce Childers, and their children, Joseph Morgan and his wife, Maria, and Mallory Morgan, and Cade and Brock Childers; son and daughter-in-law, James and Leslie Blanchard, and their children, Emilie, Mollie, Gracie, James and Tommy Blanchard; daughter and son-in-law, Suzanne and Autry Rivere, and their children, Elise and Justin Rivere; mother-in-law, Ruth Olivier; and sisters-in-law, Marie Licciardit and Paulette Nelson. He was preceded in death by his mother, Helena Daigle; father, Adahol Blanchard; father-in-law, Paul Olivier; brothers-in-law, Robert Horne, Watts Nelson and David Licciardi; and a nephew, Robert Horne Jr. A memorial service will be held at Rabenhorst Funeral Home East, 11000 Florida Blvd., on Saturday, April 16, at 3 p.m., conducted by Deacon Mike Chiappetta, with visitation beginning at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of Baton Rouge.