William Blanding

William "Bill" Blanding, 87, of Bridgeport, died peacefully on Saturday at his home on Oneida Lake, surrounded by those he loved the most, his children and grandchildren. He leaves this world to be reunited with his wife, Joan, the love of his life, who predeceased him on February 6.
Bill was born July 4, 1929, in Bridgeport, the third of five children born to Elmer and Mary Blanding. He attended Chittenango Central Schools and Morrisville State College. In 1949, he married the former Isabell "Joan" Hudson and together they raised their large family in Bridgeport. Bill ran his own construction company and was a licensed Master plumber, a trade he passed on to four of his sons and two of his grandsons. In 1970, the Blandings opened Blanding Hardware in Bridgeport, where Bill was a regular presence until the last weeks of his life.
Bill was a communicant of St. Francis of Assisi Church, Bridgeport. He and Joan traveled extensively, including trips to Alaska, Nova Scotia, Florida and the Caribbean. He built his home on the lake and helped his children and their children build their homes. His hands were rarely still and he often could be found in his workshop, building and "tinkering" with things and looking for new "toys" in The Swap Sheet. The center of his world was his home and his greatest joy was spending time with his family. "Mr. B' was loved by many and will be missed by many.
Bill is survived by seven children, David (Eileen); Daniel (Bonnie); Dale (Mary Pat); Karen (Jason Mohorter); Donald; Dwayne; William "Billy" (Tanya); daughter-in-law, Susan Montroy; a sister, Bernice Marley; 19 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his son, Douglas, in 2001; brother, John; and sisters Mary Ann Barry and Catherine Marcy.
Calling hours are 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, October 7 at Traub Funeral Home, 7975 Route 31, Bridgeport. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday, October 8 at St. Francis of Assisi Church, Bridgeport. Burial will be at a later time at Bridgeport Community Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Central New York, 990 Seventh North St., Liverpool, 13088 or Rescue Mission Alliance of Syracuse, 155 Gifford St. Syracuse, NY 13202.

Date of Death: October 1, 2016

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