Craig “Joe” Blandford, Chief Master Sergeant (Ret.), Air National Guard, of Henderson, Nevada, passed away suddenly on November 25, 2025, just three days shy of his 77th birthday.
Joe was born in Buffalo, New York, to Raymond S. and Eileen Blandford, both deceased, and was predeceased by his siblings Robert (survived by Carole), James (survived by Diane), Randall (survived by Susan), and Gail; also survived by nieces and nephews.
Joe was a devoted husband to his wife, Maria. He was a loving father to his three daughters, Lori (Bart Halper), Lisa (Dave Sikora), and Loni (John Snow), and a proud grandfather to Hauk Halper. He also enjoyed spending time with his new step-granddaughters, Maddie and Marin Snow.
Joe served 36 years with the 107th Niagara Falls Air National Guard Unit and retired in 2004 as a Chief Master Sergeant. He took great pride in his work, the aircraft he maintained, and the people he served alongside.
After retiring from the military, Joe and Maria moved to the Las Vegas area in 2006. They enjoyed living in the desert and taking trips to explore the Southwest. Joe later worked security at Sunset Station Casino in Henderson, a role he enjoyed for many years.
Joe had many hobbies that brought him joy. He loved collecting coins, running his Lionel trains, and spending time around cars. He kept his GTO for many years and later enjoyed his Corvette, along with being part of the Corvette Club and attending car shows. He also had great taste in classic rock music and passed that appreciation on to his daughters.
Joe will be remembered for being kind, humble, funny, and easy to talk to. He made friends wherever he went and had a way of putting people at ease. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
A private interment at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Buffalo, New York, will be held at a later date. Those wishing to honor Joe’s memory may donate to the EANGUS (Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States) Patriot Scholarship Fund, of which all three of Joe’s daughters were recipients, at eangus.org/make-a-donation. Flowers gratefully declined.
Joe was born in Buffalo, New York, to Raymond S. and Eileen Blandford, both deceased, and was predeceased by his siblings Robert (survived by Carole), James (survived by Diane), Randall (survived by Susan), and Gail; also survived by nieces and nephews.
Joe was a devoted husband to his wife, Maria. He was a loving father to his three daughters, Lori (Bart Halper), Lisa (Dave Sikora), and Loni (John Snow), and a proud grandfather to Hauk Halper. He also enjoyed spending time with his new step-granddaughters, Maddie and Marin Snow.
Joe served 36 years with the 107th Niagara Falls Air National Guard Unit and retired in 2004 as a Chief Master Sergeant. He took great pride in his work, the aircraft he maintained, and the people he served alongside.
After retiring from the military, Joe and Maria moved to the Las Vegas area in 2006. They enjoyed living in the desert and taking trips to explore the Southwest. Joe later worked security at Sunset Station Casino in Henderson, a role he enjoyed for many years.
Joe had many hobbies that brought him joy. He loved collecting coins, running his Lionel trains, and spending time around cars. He kept his GTO for many years and later enjoyed his Corvette, along with being part of the Corvette Club and attending car shows. He also had great taste in classic rock music and passed that appreciation on to his daughters.
Joe will be remembered for being kind, humble, funny, and easy to talk to. He made friends wherever he went and had a way of putting people at ease. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
A private interment at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Buffalo, New York, will be held at a later date. Those wishing to honor Joe’s memory may donate to the EANGUS (Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States) Patriot Scholarship Fund, of which all three of Joe’s daughters were recipients, at eangus.org/make-a-donation. Flowers gratefully declined.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Craig "Joe" Blandford, please visit our flower store.
Craig "Joe" Blandford's Guestbook
Visits: 144
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors