Robert E. Blanchard, 82, of Vero Beach, passed away on Sept. 21, 2015.
Blanchard was the beloved husband of Helen (Carnegie) Blanchard for 61 years, and wonderful father to his two daughters, Linda Kurpil (Randy) of Vero Beach, and Bonnie Julin (Paul) of Vero Beach. He was also the adoring grandfather to his five granddaughters and five great- grandchildren, Heather Villareal of Houston, Texas, and her husband Victor along with their twins Maxem and Isla; Kelly Eacker of Vero Beach and her husband Alex, along with their children Ella and Cannon; Tiffany Kurpil of Vero Beach; Lacie Watts of Cummings, Ga. and her husband Drew along with their son Levi; and Schylar Anderson along with her husband Jonathan of Port Saint Lucie. He is also survived by his two sisters, Lois Vinson of Lighthouse Point, Fla. and Nancy Underset of Fayetteville, Ga.
Blanchard was born on June 2, 1932 to Neal and Ruth Blanchard in Washington, N.J. – the second of three children, Lois, Bob, and Nancy. He married his high-school sweetheart, Helen Carnegie, on Feb. 14, 1954.
After the birth of their two daughters, Linda and Bonnie in New Jersey, he and Helen moved to Fort Lauderdale where he became a building contractor. In 1978, he and Helen moved to Vero Beach where his building company, Blanchard Construction, continued to build homes on the beach and mainland.
Blanchard and Helen also built a second home on Lake June in Lake Placid, Fla., and to this day the family still gathers at the “lake house” for fun and relaxation.
He loved the outdoor Florida life, he also loved to take cruises to different destinations, and often included his family in his travels. He will be dearly missed by his devoted wife, Helen, and family and friends.
Blanchard was a man of strong faith and conviction, and he served as an elder at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Services will be held Saturday, Oct. 3 at 3 p.m. at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses at 6050 Turnpike Feeder Road, Fort Pierce, FL. Arrangements are under Cox-Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home Cremation, online guest book may be signed at www.coxgiffordseawinds.com.
