Maynard "Gus" Blair

Maynard “Gus” Blair was born June 13, 1937 to Clara and Donald Blair of Monroe Center, Illinois. He died June 16, 2017 at Lincolnshire Place Memory Care in Loves Park, IL. Services for Maynard will be held Tuesday, June 20 at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 920 3rd Ave, Rockford, IL, with visitation at 9:30 a.m. and funeral at 10:30 a.m. A luncheon at Emmanuel will follow services with burial at Monroe Center Cemetery afterward.

Gifted with a radiant smile, good humor and a keen mind, Maynard’s remarkable life journey tells the story of a farm boy who became aviation mechanic, pilot, award-winning salesman for Beechcraft with Hartzog Aviation and owner of Blair Aviation, an airplane brokerage business he ran with his wife, Beverly, in Appleton, WI. His commitments to hard work, face to face transactions, attention to detail and straight forward negotiations all combined to seal the deal with a handshake, eye contact and a generous, trustworthy smile.

He was a beloved father, grandfather; husband, brother, son and friend and companion to many. Gus was a legendary fisherman. His love for fish stories and angling lore led to many friendships and opportunities for mentoring. His interests included extensive reading, photography, golf, bowling and gardening. He will be missed and remembered by family, friends and loved ones for his abiding love, faith, friendship, warmth and wisdom.

Maynard is preceded in death by his brothers, David and William, and his parents, Donald and Clara. Survivors include his wife, Beverly Blair, his sister, Lucy Westbrook, his daughters, Holly Blair-Cascio and Cassie Schlais (Jeff), his son, Mike Blair (Sue), and Bev’s sons, Mike Benhoff (Vonna) and Brad Benhoff, her daughter, Julie Pry and a host of nieces, nephews and grandchildren.

Memorial gifts will be donated to Transitions Hospice and Lincolnshire Place Memory Care.