Albert J. Blanchard

Chicopee- Albert John Blanchard, 82, passed away peacefully at home on April 20, 2023.  Born in Springfield on March 27, 1941, Al was a son of the late William T. and Bertha (Wolas) Blanchard.  He was a graduate of Cathedral high school and would go on to receive his Bachelor's degree from the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, and his Master's degree in psychology from Westfield State.  He also attended St. Mary's Seminary in Baltimore, MD and served as a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Springfield for 12 years.  After he left the priesthood, Al worked as a licensed social worker for the Dept. of Social Services for 20 years, until his retirement.  Never one to sit still, after retiring, Al took a job at Kohl's in West Springfield, where he worked in customer service for 16 years.  He also worked for eight years as a Spiritual Coordinator at St. Luke's Home in Springfield. Al is survived by his wife of 43 years, Kathleen M. (Wojczyk) Blanchard, their children, Michael Blanchard and his fiancé, Kathryn Field, of Dorchester, Katie Scagliarini and her husband, Pete, of Westfield, and Danny Blanchard and his husband, Jeffrey Vander-Zwan, of New York, NY.  Al is also survived by his 2 grandchildren, Parker and Molly, as well as his nieces Karla Soffen, Michelle Sammataro and Suzanne Leone, and a nephew David Sammataro.  In addition to his parents, Al was also predeceased by his brother William Blanchard, and his sister Kathleen Sammataro.  Calling hours will be held on Thursday, April 27, 2023 from 4:00 to 7:00 at Corridan Funeral Home, 333 Springfield St., Chicopee, MA.  Funeral services for Al will take place on Friday, April 28, beginning at the funeral home at 8:45am, with a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 10:00am in Sacred Heart Church, 387 Chestnut St., Springfield, MA.  Committal services will be held at a later date.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Al's name can be made to Sacred Heart Church Renovation Fund 395 Chestnut St., Springfield, MA 01104, or to the Sisters of St. Joseph, 577 Carew St., Sprinfield, MA 01104.  To leave your condolences or share a memory with the family, please visit www.CorridanFuneral.com