Bruce G. Blanchard

Bruce G. Blanchard, 61, of Five Mile River Road, Putnam, died Saturday at the Monahan Hospice Home, in Worcester. He was the beloved husband of Alice (Wilson) Blanchard.

He was born November 4, 1946 in South Weymouth, MA, son of the late Frederick S. and Necia (Handy) Blanchard. He was a veteran of the Vietnam War, serving with the US Air Force. He has made his home in Putnam, CT, for the last 22 years, moving from Massachusetts. He was employed as a maintenance mechanic at Gentex Optics in Dudley for six years, he had formerly worked at Ivanhoe Tool and Die in Thompson, CT, was a police officer in the Fort Worth Texas police department. Over the years Bruce had owned and operated an Exxon service station in Mineral Wells, Texas, worked as a programmer for Digital Computer, and was a dispatcher for the Acton, MA fire department. Bruce traveled the world, he enjoyed cars, reading, history, and had a great love for animals.

He leaves his wife, Alice, of 18 years; a son, Daniel Blanchard and his wife Jacquelyn of Jacksonville, FL; two grandchildren, Calista and Avery. He was predeceased by his sister and brother-in-law, Norine and Jim McWilliam in 2003.

Funeral Service will be Thursday at 11:00 AM at the Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove Street, Putnam, CT. Calling Hours will be Wednesday from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the Funeral Home. Burial with Military Honors will be in Grove Street Cemetery, Putnam. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Connecticut Humane Society, 169 Old Colchester Road, Quaker Hill, CT 06375. To share o memory "Light a Candle" at

www.smithandwalkerfh.com