Blaise G. Grden

Blaise G. Grde , 74, a resident of Plum Borough, PA, passed away peacefully on May 7, 2025, at UPMC Shadyside Hospital surrounded by loved ones. Blaise was the son of the late Stanley and Velma (Giuliani) Grde , and the beloved father of twin daughters, A. Sierra and Maryfaith Grde . He is survived by his companion, Ellen Kaminski; sister, Ardelia Grde Secosky; nephew, Luke (Jill Bissell) Secosky; cousin, Peter Dziadyk; and numerous family and friends. He was a member and volunteer at St. Mary of Czestochowa Church in New Kensington, PA. Blaise was a graduate of Plum Senior High School, Edinboro State College (BA in Geography), and Utah State University (MLA in Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning). Blaise began his career with the Walla Walla, WA District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) as a landscape architect. He was an expert in the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for Master Planning, completing the first Master Plan for a Corps Water Resource Project that fully incorporated GIS technology, demonstrating the data set at the Pentagon, the Library of Congress, and throughout the USACE Districts. He was later promoted to the USACE CAD/BIM Technology Center in Vicksburg, MS, where he managed GIS research projects. Blaise received the 'Architectural Award' for landscape architecture of the Walla Walla District Headquarters Building. In 2007 he retired with 30 years of service and was awarded the 'Superior Civilian Service Award' for his commitment as a member of the Interagency Performance Evaluation Task Force during the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. His efforts reflected great credit upon the USACE, the Army, and the nation. Blaise had recently been assisting the St. Mary Cemetery in Lower Burrell, PA, where he created historical and working landscape maps of the entirety of the cemetery. He also performed research and organization of cemetery data with a focus on US veterans and Haller's Polish Blue Army veterans of WWI. A Memorial Mass will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, May 17, 2025, at St. Mary of Czestochowa Church, 857 Kenneth Ave., New Kensington, PA, with a Eulogy to follow at St. Mary Cemetery's Chapel, 3330 Leechburg Road, Lower Burrell, PA. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations in Blaise's memory to St. Mary of Czestochowa Church, c/o NKCC, 100 Freeport Road, New Kensington, PA 15068. Arrangements were entrusted to the Joseph J. Cardaro Funeral Home, New Kensington, 724-337-3325. www.cardarofuneralhome.com.