John Blatosos

1919 - 2015

MANCHESTER – Major General John Blatsos, 96, of Manchester, died Thursday, March 19, 2015. He had his wife of 71 years at his side. He was born Jan. 20, 1919, in Manchester, the youngest child of Coustoula Belisote and George Blatsos. Following his grammar school years in the Manchester school system, he attended Keene Teachers College.

Major General John Blatsos began his military career by enlisting as a private in the N.H. National Guard on June 19, 1939. In 1941 his National Guard unit was inducted into Federal Service and he was shipped to Camp Blanding, Fla. He applied for Officer Candidate School and was sent to Fort Sill, Okla. where he graduated with the rank of second Lieutenant on Oct. 15, 1942. Between the years 1942 to 1946 he served with various army units and saw overseas duty in the European Theatre of Operations. In March of 1946, he was released from active duty and was assigned to the U.S. Army Reserve. He was reappointed in the N.H. Army National Guard in September of 1948 as Battery Commander of the 172nd F. A. Battalion. Between the years 1948 to 1971 he served the National Guard with distinction and subsequently he was promoted to Brigadier General on March 12, 1971 and on May 7, 1975 he was appointed the Adjutant General of New Hampshire.

General Blatsos was been active in many community affairs. He is the past President of N.H. National Guard Association, Member of the Board of Directors at St. George Greek Orthodox Church, member Masonic Order, and a member and past President of the Order of Ahepa, Chapter No. 44.

In the midst of a rapidly growing career, he accomplished his greatest achievement by marrying his wife Aphrodite Bentas who alongside he balanced his military duties along with running their family restaurant "The Webster" on Elm Street in Manchester. John and Aphrodite enjoyed golfing together, entertaining for friends and family, playing with their grandchildren and great grandchildren and winters in Ft. Myers, Fla.

John is preceded in death by his parents, brother Charlie, and sisters, Mary and Effie. He will also join his beautiful daughter, Elaine Blake.

John is survived by his wife, Aphrodite; and his two sons, G. Phillip (Anita) of Goffstown and Michael (Debbie) of Pembroke; and his six grandchildren, Matthew, Nicholas, Andrew, Christina, Whitney and Justin. He was also blessed to have two great-grandchildren, Evelyn and Julian. He also leaves behind many nieces and nephews.

John's family wishes to express their gratitude to the caregivers at Bel-Air Nursing Home for their love and respect in his final years.

A wake will be held Monday, March 23, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Phaneuf Funeral Home, 243 Hanover St., Manchester.

A funeral will be held Tuesday, March 24, at 11 a.m. at St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral followed by burial at Pine Grove Cemetery, 765 Brown Avenue, Manchester.