John "Jack" Blanchard

Jack was preceded in death by his parents, Edna and John Blanchard, brother Kerry Blanchard, and sister Jean (David) Hudon, and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. He is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Patricia, and their children Lisa, Chris (Agnes), Kevin (Danica), and Mark (Martina), sister-in-law Bette Blanchard, and brother-in-law, Al Papp. Jack also leaves behind nephews Kerry (Kristin) Blanchard, Keith (Lindsey) Blanchard, Michelle Ponturo, and Tim Hudon. Jack was also a proud grandfather to Elise (Jonathan) Frandsen, Jenny (Josh) Strayer, Trenton Blanchard, Blake Blanchard, Owen Blanchard, Kian Blanchard, and three great-grandchildren, Lily, Caleb, and Noel Strayer.

Jack was born on April 29, 1935, in Hartford, CT. His hometown was in nearby Collinsville, where he went to school and worked delivering newspapers, washing pots and pans at a bakery, and was a stock clerk/cashier at the First National Store on Main Street. He also played the clarinet in the high school band, sang and starred in several Gilbert and Sullivan operettas, represented his high school in the state chorus, and led a very active social life. After high school, Jack attended Catholic Seminaries, for two years testing his call to the priesthood, but realized that was not his path. He transferred to Fairfield University, where shortly before graduation, he met his future wife, Patricia. Jack said it was love at first sight. Upon graduation in 1957, Jack immediately enlisted as an Airman in the US Air Force. After basic training, he was assigned to the AF Chinese language school at Yale University, then advanced radio training at the National Security Agency. He proposed to Pat before shipping overseas to Korea. Following his tour, he was stationed at Loring AFB in Maine. Jack and Pat were married in May 1960, and she joined him in Maine, welcoming their daughter early the next year. In 1961, after encouragement from the officers he worked for, he applied and was accepted into Officer Training School. Later that year he was commissioned a 2nd Lt. and moved the family to Abilene TX. Jack’s family grew over the next three years, with the addition of three sons. His new role in the AF was as an intelligence officer supporting B-47, B-52, and Atlas Missile sites. He was promoted to Captain, and in 1966 was assigned a one-year tour in Saigon Vietnam and received the Joint Services Medal for his work. Upon his return, his skills in advanced imagery for the AF sent them to Schierstein, Germany, near Wiesbaden. During the four years in Germany, Jack became the USAF Commander’s go-to briefer during the Warsaw Pact buildup, briefing senior intelligence officers to include British Forces in Germany and London. Towards the end of his tour, he was promoted to Major and awarded the AF Meritorious Service Medal. Back in the US, Jack moved the family to Chantilly, VA and he was assigned to DIA at the Pentagon, working on reconnaissance collection programs and planning future imagery collection strategies. This led to liaison work with the CIA, developing targeting for the collection of overhead imagery intelligence. He retired from the Air Force in 1977 and was awarded a second Meritorious Service Medal for his work with DIA. Jack moved into civilian life working with General Electric Space Division, becoming a mission planner for highly classified work. The next year, the family moved to Dumfries, VA to be closer to his work location.

In 1987, GE underwent changes leading Jack and Pat to move to Fern Park, FL. Jack planned to continue with defense contracting work, but this never came to fruition. He worked for Builder’s Square in the garden department until he landed a technical writer’s position with Tupperware Headquarters. This new job came with one stipulation - he had to become an independent dealer to gain experience with the products he would write about. It was no surprise to the family that his business took off becoming a top salesman and manager, thriving for many years until Tupperware dissolved his technical writing group. Jack worked for Gould Publishing for a year publishing municipal law code books. Ultimately, Jack attended a job fair for Walt Disney World and landed a position as a conductor on the steam engine. He always loved trains and worked there for 15 years. He was proud of being a co-creator/writer of Disney’s “The Magic Behind Our Steam Trains Tour” that guests of the park enjoy to this day. In 2012, Jack and Pat moved to Melbourne in order to downsize their home, be closer to their son Kevin’s family, and enjoy the benefits from Patrick AFB.

Jack, a longtime member of the Knights of Columbus, transferred to the Fr. Charles Spellman Council 6125 and Commodore John Barey Assembly 160 in Rockledge. Over the years Jack was very involved within the many parishes he attended and enjoyed involvement with choirs, and leading the rosary at the Saturday evening mass at St. John‘s. With the young family he was very involved in Boy Scouts, serving as a scout leader. He introduced the family to camping in Germany along the Rhine River and exploring the areas and nearby countries where he lived. In the later years Jack and Pat enjoyed embarking on cruises, and taking weekend get-aways at Disney hotels or other places in various parts of Florida. He embraced visits with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He loved to fish when the family vacationed in the Outer Banks of NC, and at the port in Cape Canaveral. Of late, he became very involved with Lego building sets, and many are on display within his home. Jack led a full life in his 90 years, and his presence will be missed by all that knew him.

A funeral mass will be held Thursday, November 20, 2025, at 11:00 am at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church on Stadium Parkway in Melbourne, FL followed immediately by a repast in the Church Social Hall. Burial will be held at Cape Canaveral National Cemetery in Mims, FL on Friday, November 21, 2025, at 10:30 am with full military honors.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Jack’s name can be made to K of C Council 6125 for their Right to Life Charity.