Obituary for Joseph A. Blais
Joseph A. Blais, beloved husband of Rosary (Finocchiaro) Blais, passed away peacefully at his home on December 20, 2020.
Joe, 82, was born in Lewiston, Maine on February 8, 1938, the son of Wilfred and Desniges (Busque) Blais. The family moved from Maine and settled in Hartford, CT where he grew up graduating from Hartford Public High School. As newlyweds, Joe and Rosary moved to Glastonbury where they lived for many years and raised their family, later moving to Newington.
Joe worked for 35 years for the State of Connecticut at the Connecticut Department of Transportation as an inspector. After retirement, and for many years later, he drove a school bus for the town of Newington taking great care and pride in safely transporting children. As a young man, he joined the CT Air National Guard and continued his civic duties, in recent years, as a longtime election poll worker.
Joe always put family first. In his younger years, he coached little league baseball and midget football. In his later years, he loved to watch and cheer on his grandchildren while they participated in playing softball, basketball or ice hockey. More often than not, he was the loudest spectator in the crowd! For many years, Joe was a season ticket holder and supporter of UConn women's basketball and enjoyed cheering the team on to many victories. Gardiner Lake was his happy place. He was always more than willing to take friends and family for a boat ride or out fishing. If you were brave enough, he would take you for a spin on the tube or water skiing. He loved boating. Joe was a very spiritual man and a devout catholic. He served as a deacon at St. Brigid, Roman Catholic Church and was also a member, in great standing, of the Knights of Columbus. His dedication to his faith was a driving force in his life. Joe was a loyal friend who was always willing to lend a hand. He was an avid gardener and lover of all animals especially his dog, Ollie. In addition, Joe was a member of the Audubon Society and a bird enthusiast.
He is survived by Rosary, his loving wife of 59 years and his two sons; Todd Blais and his husband Jeffrey Spiegel, and Kevin Blais and his wife Cindy Blais. In addition, he leaves three grandchildren; Kacey Blais, Haley Blais, and Hunter Blais and his wife, Megan along with their two children, (great grandchildren to Joe) Jaxon and Madelyn. He is also survived by his sisters; Bertha Grenier of East Hartford, Paulette Veillux of West Hartford, Doris Bouffard and her husband, Ron, of The Villages, FL, and sister in-law Kathy Fowler Blais also of The Villages, FL, along with many nieces, nephews and other loving family members. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his brother, Dennis Blais.
Due to Covid-19, private calling hours will be open to immediate family only. Church services are open to the public and will be held on Tuesday January, 12 at 10:00 a.m., St. Brigid Roman Catholic Church, New Britain Avenue, West Hartford, followed by an outdoor graveside service at Mt. St. Benedict Cemetery, 1 Cottage Grove Road, Bloomfield. (Note: church services will also be streamed. (Please see the website below for access & information).
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made, in his honor, to the Connecticut Humane Society. For on-line condolences please visit www.SheehanHilbornBreen.com
Joe, 82, was born in Lewiston, Maine on February 8, 1938, the son of Wilfred and Desniges (Busque) Blais. The family moved from Maine and settled in Hartford, CT where he grew up graduating from Hartford Public High School. As newlyweds, Joe and Rosary moved to Glastonbury where they lived for many years and raised their family, later moving to Newington.
Joe worked for 35 years for the State of Connecticut at the Connecticut Department of Transportation as an inspector. After retirement, and for many years later, he drove a school bus for the town of Newington taking great care and pride in safely transporting children. As a young man, he joined the CT Air National Guard and continued his civic duties, in recent years, as a longtime election poll worker.
Joe always put family first. In his younger years, he coached little league baseball and midget football. In his later years, he loved to watch and cheer on his grandchildren while they participated in playing softball, basketball or ice hockey. More often than not, he was the loudest spectator in the crowd! For many years, Joe was a season ticket holder and supporter of UConn women's basketball and enjoyed cheering the team on to many victories. Gardiner Lake was his happy place. He was always more than willing to take friends and family for a boat ride or out fishing. If you were brave enough, he would take you for a spin on the tube or water skiing. He loved boating. Joe was a very spiritual man and a devout catholic. He served as a deacon at St. Brigid, Roman Catholic Church and was also a member, in great standing, of the Knights of Columbus. His dedication to his faith was a driving force in his life. Joe was a loyal friend who was always willing to lend a hand. He was an avid gardener and lover of all animals especially his dog, Ollie. In addition, Joe was a member of the Audubon Society and a bird enthusiast.
He is survived by Rosary, his loving wife of 59 years and his two sons; Todd Blais and his husband Jeffrey Spiegel, and Kevin Blais and his wife Cindy Blais. In addition, he leaves three grandchildren; Kacey Blais, Haley Blais, and Hunter Blais and his wife, Megan along with their two children, (great grandchildren to Joe) Jaxon and Madelyn. He is also survived by his sisters; Bertha Grenier of East Hartford, Paulette Veillux of West Hartford, Doris Bouffard and her husband, Ron, of The Villages, FL, and sister in-law Kathy Fowler Blais also of The Villages, FL, along with many nieces, nephews and other loving family members. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his brother, Dennis Blais.
Due to Covid-19, private calling hours will be open to immediate family only. Church services are open to the public and will be held on Tuesday January, 12 at 10:00 a.m., St. Brigid Roman Catholic Church, New Britain Avenue, West Hartford, followed by an outdoor graveside service at Mt. St. Benedict Cemetery, 1 Cottage Grove Road, Bloomfield. (Note: church services will also be streamed. (Please see the website below for access & information).
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made, in his honor, to the Connecticut Humane Society. For on-line condolences please visit www.SheehanHilbornBreen.com