Willy Jacques Blanchet

BLANCHET, Willy Jacques, 90, of Midlothian, passed away on April 6, 2010. He was born in Port au Prince, Haiti, and came to the United States to study at UCLA on a full academic scholarship. He later completed graduate studies in business at Columbia University. In his early career as an analyst, he worked for the United Nations in Santiago, Chile. He retired from I.T.T. as a vice president and senior treasurer for Central and South American operations. He will be remembered for his love of languages, classical music and opera, French literature and poetry, and above all for his kindness and joie de vivre. His optimism and cheerfulness were admired by all who met this wonderful and caring man. He was predeceased by his wife of 49 years, Jo H. Blanchet. He is survived by his loving daughters, Nadia Blanchet and her husband, Kent Rollins of Midlothian, Va., Roma Blanchet of Bedminster, N.J. and Joanna Blanchet of New London, Conn.; and two grandchildren, Ariana and Kent Rollins. A memorial service will be held April 17, 2010, at 1 p.m. at Episcopal Church of the Redeemer in Midlothian. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the W.J. Blanchet Scholarship through the Community Foundation Serving Richmond and Central Virginia, 7501 Boulders View Drive, Suite 110, Richmond, Virginia 23225 (804-330-7400).


This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.