Richard Anthony Blanzy

Richard Blanzy, Sr, age 88, passed away surrounded by his family on October 1, 2021.  He was born to Anthony and Ursula (Holewinski) Blanzy on September 25, 1933.  He grew up with his 5 siblings in Dearborn, graduating from Dearborn High School in 1951.  He received his BS degree from Central Michigan University and his Masters degree from Eastern Michigan University.  

He met his wife, Audrey, while tobogganing at Rouge Park in 1951.  They fell in love and married in 1956.  Later the same year, he was drafted into the United States Army.  He and Audrey relocated to Arkansas and spent 2 years in Fort Chaffee, which included welcoming their first child.  Through their 65 years of marriage, they had 6 children, GeAnne (Patrick) Geraghty, Richard Jr (Julie), Jeffrey (Cassandra), Robert "Rocky" (Beth), Andrea (James) Kitchen and Julienne (Patrick) Desmet;  25 grandchildren, Christian, Adam, Dashia, Juan, Kira, Richard, Alexa, Ryan, Tara, Paige, Blake, Nicholas, John, Samuel, Brian, Hannah, Lukas, Jacob, Alyssa, Zachary, Elizabeth, Andrew, Donald "Alex", Patrick Jr and Abigail; and 7 great-grandchildren, Eloise, Anson, Baby Boy Erard, Cataleya, Dahlia, Olive and Eliana.  

He was a teacher for 42 years at Trenton High School.  After retirement, he opened his own business, Blanzy Driver Testing, that he operated until the time of his death.

In his spare time, he shared his love for sports by coaching youth baseball, basketball and football programs.  After coaching, he became a permanent spectator at all of the sporting events and recitals of his grandchildren.  He was an avid golfer who would have been on a golf course every day if it was possible. 

Being a teacher, he had summers and holidays off, which allowed him to enjoy other interests. He would pack up the family and head to Otsego Lake State Park where they would set up camp in their trailer.  He and the famly would relax around the campfires and just enjoy nature. It wasn’t uncommon for Richard to go off to the Pigeon River in his waders and cast his line for some rainbow trout, hopefully coming back with dinner.  Easter break with the family was spent in Florida for sun, fun and golf.  Christmas break was spent skiing and sledding up north.  Richard absolutely loved spending time with his family outdoors.  So many fond memories were made on these family adventures that will be forever cherished.  He and Audrey loved their trips to Hawaii and their trips abroad to Spain, Italy, Croatia, Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, Germany and the Netherlands.

Besides his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, he is survived by his brother, Dr. John (Loretta) Blanzy and sisters Patricia (the late Frederick) Zakolski and Pamela (Dr. Thomas) Costantino.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Anthony and Ursula Blanzy and sisters Geraldine (the late Dr. Bernard) Tabor and Beverly Schmitzerle.

He was a man like no other.  Throughout his life, he touched countless lives and left lasting impressions on all of them.  He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude Children's Hospital.