Basil Haines "Bus" Blair

BLAIR
BASIL HAINES "BUS", On November 4, 2006 of Kirkwood, NJ age 86yrs. Beloved husband of Alice M. (nee Mawson). Devoted father of Carolyn A. Wysocki and her husband Joseph L. of Gainesville, VA, Alan H. Blair and his wife Elaine C. of Berlin, NJ, Basil H. Blair, II and his wife Lori A. of Pine Hill, NJ and the late Virginia A. Clevenger and her husband John Clevenger of Cincinnati, OH. Brother of Beverly King of Hamilton Square, NJ, Barbara Meehan of Vero Beach, FL and James Blair, Jr. of Levittown, PA. Grandfather of 13, Great Grandfather of 7. Basil served as a First Lieutenant in the Army Air Corp during the World War II and flew 83 missions in a P40 Warhawk over North Africa, Sicily, and Italy. He was awarded the Purple Heart for injures received while on a mission over the Anzio beachhead. After the war, Basil practiced as a master optician in Philadelphia for 57 years and was instrumental in developing several eyewear manufacturing procedures that are used today in the industry. During this time he was active in the Philadelphia Guild of Opticians and held the office of President for that organization in 1970.
Basil was a member of the Voorhees Township School Board for 12 years. He also taught in the Ophthalmic Science Department at Camden County College for over 15 years. Basil had several articles and textbooks published and was inducted into the National Academy Of Opticianry Hall Of Fame in 1999 for his contributions to the science. With all of this, somehow Bus found time to enjoy his boat with family and friends on his beloved Mullica River, where he enjoyed some of his happiest times. Relatives and friends are invited to attend his Memorial Service at the First Presbyterian Church, 101 Bridgeboro Road, Moorestown, New Jersey (856-231-9871) on Saturday, November 25th at 11:00 a.m. Internment at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va, with military honors, on Monday, December 11th at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations in memory of Mr. Blair be made payable to the Virginia Blair Clevenger Scholarship, c/o LEROY P. WOOSTER FUNERAL HOME 441 White Horse Pike, Atco, NJ 08004.