William Blanchard Obituary

William Joseph Blanchard

JUNE 12, 1953 - FEBRUARY 8, 2020

William Blanchard has peacefully passed away February 8, 2020. Bill was born to Kathleen T. and Thomas J. Blanchard on June 12, 1953 in San Francisco where he attended St. Stephen's Grammar School and Riordan High School. He was a loved and loving brother to his siblings Annette (John), Tim, Judy (Rick), Rita and John (Prisca) as well as admired uncle to his nieces and nephews Arlo, Nicole, Dan, Rich, Thom and Kurt.
Bill was a talented athlete both at St Stephens and Riordan excelling in Basketball and Football. It was while playing Free Safety for the Varsity Football team at Riordan on August 31, 1970 that Bill tragically suffered a broken neck while making a tackle on the field. This injury resulted in leaving Bill a Quadriplegic and paralyzed from the neck down.
Although injured in just the first few days of his Senior year Bill succeeded in graduating High School through tutorship during his recovery and rehabilitation at St Mary's Hospital and then Stanford University Medical Center. Notable for his extraordinary internal strength, toughness and positive attitude, Bill was an inspiration to his teammates, teachers and all who knew him. The Bill Blanchard Award was instituted at Riordan High School for athletes that demonstrate the "Inspiration" that Bill manifested as an athlete as well as a survivor and leader.
Bill went on to attend City College of San Francisco and then the University of California at Berkeley where he graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Social Welfare.
During his time attending U.C., with typical resolve to live his life, Bill rolled himself into a van with some Berkeley colleagues for a road trip to Mardi Gras in New Orleans.
Always conscious of the greater good, Bill sacrificed a job opportunity to participate in the 25 day sit in/occupation at the San Francisco Federal Building in 1977 that resulted in the signing of Section 504 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act that guaranteed disabled accessibility to Government Buildings and Educational Institutions and Programs.
While a student at Berkeley, Bill held an internship with the Disabled Students Union. Upon graduation he was ultimately promoted to Coordinator of the Disabled Students Residence Program at U.C. Berkeley. Among many of his contributions, he was instrumental in having curb cuts for the disabled and others, added to Berkeley sidewalks. He was awarded the UC Vice Chancellor's award for his inspirational, professional excellence in working for the College. At the same time Bill served on the Board of Last Call, a Berkeley emergency services program for people with disabilities. After his retirement he served as Secretary, then President, of the Shattuck Ave Lofts Homeowners Association, in addition to volunteering at the North Berkeley Seniors Center, the Suicide Prevention Hotline and other Services.
In addition to his advocacy and his internal athletic qualities Bill retained his intellectual interests with continuing education classes and doing some creative writing. As well as a poetic writer and correspondent Bill loved to sing and was lead singer for a rock band in his grammar and high school years. Also, he was a spiritual and meditative person attending both Berkeley's Catholic Newman Center for services as well as the Zen Center for meditative pursuit.
Bill Blanchard led a meaningful life with fortitude and heartfelt compassion for others. He was funny, smart, kind and brave. He had a way of deflecting bad feelings in his presence and, no matter how bad things were, never complained or wanted anyone to worry or be unhappy, so family and friends never were when with him. He was a joy to be around and was liked and respected by all those that knew him and knew of him. He was widely recognized as an empathetic listener, great storyteller and quick wit. Despite incredible hardship in the last years of his life, Bill always had a smile and kind words for all whom he encountered.
There will be a private family burial, and a Celebration of Life to be held at a future date.
For updates, please visit: www.duggans-serra.com/obituary/William-Joseph-Blanchard/Berkeley-California/1868233

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by San Francisco Chronicle from Feb. 14 to Feb. 16, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for William Blanchard

Sponsored by Duggan's Serra Mortuary - Daly City.

10 Entries

Rebecca Lord

February 9, 2023

I knew Bill only as a regular at the California movie theater, I was manager and he would come see movies. He was such a warm human being and I would send him postcards and he would respond with emails. I recently thought of him as I have not lived in the Bay Area in 12 years and saw this obituary. I'm sad I didn't get to say goodbye.

Albert Alioto, Riordan High School Class of 1971

February 7, 2022

Bill, you are still an inspiration. You always will be.

Linda Schmidt

October 14, 2020

Bill was working at the Disabled Students Program when I came to Berkeley as a college freshman. His quiet confidence, kind spirit, gentle humor, and fierce commitment to self-determination for people with disabilities was a great example to me--and I know to many others. Thank you, Bill! May his memory be eternal.

Susan OShaughnessy

May 8, 2020

I was a personal attendant to Bill in the early 1980s while attending college in Berkeley. We kept in touch for all but the most recent years and I will never forget the life lessons Bill taught me. He showed me how dignity and wisdom can prevail despite ones dependence on others for physical care. He gave me careful attention and showed me kindness always. I feel sad to have lost touch recently and not to say goodbye, but I will never forget my good friend and mentor. Sending love to his family and close friends. Truly this loss must be deep.

Annette Blanchard

March 17, 2020

Pat Murphy

February 17, 2020

I knew Bill through his correspondence on the GoFundMe page his friends set up for him and through his beloved sister Judy. His tenacity and good spirit through hardship, and his inspirational life have made all who knew him better people for it. May his spirit continue to live on in the lives of his family, friends, and all those he touched.

Paul Mifsud

February 16, 2020

My deepest condolences. Bill was my classmate in first grade at St. Stephens and also at Riordan. Reading his obituary and all his achievements left me so incredibly overwhelmed and impressed. Despite great obstacles, he accomplished so much in his life and his dedication to helping others was legendary. My late wife Sheryl was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy and lost the use of her legs. She and all disabled people benefited from Bill's persistent advocacy for their rights. His strength and determination left a legacy of what resolve and compassion the human spirit is capable of. He was a great man.

Sharon Ghilardi-Udovich

February 15, 2020

God bless you Bill.

Albert Alioto

February 14, 2020

Bill,

God bless you always. You did not ask for the opportunity to be one of the great moral heroes any of us would ever know, but you turned out to be the most profound teacher any of your classmates at Riordan ever knew.
You have run the race,. You have won the race.

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