James Alfred Blackler

James Alfred Blackler, 81, of Ashland, died Sept. 24 at Tufts Medical Center in Boston. The retired industrial engineer was the loving husband of 42 years to his wife Janice (DeVitto) Blackler. He was surrounded by family. He was born in Milford to the late Frank Blackler and Eunice (Brooks) Blackler on Sept. 5, 1944. He grew up attending Milford public schools, playing sports and attending United Methodist Church. He graduated from Milford High School in 1962 before attending Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston, where he earned an associates degree focused on mechanical power engineering technology.

He served in the National Guard and worked for a decade at Rockwell International's Draper Division foundry in Hopedale, before becoming quality control manager for Grumman Allied Industries Inc. at their Wormuth Bros. Foundry in Athens, N.Y. He returned to Massachusetts to become plant manager for the Standard Foundry Co. in Worcester. Mr. Blackler loved going to his grandchildren's sporting events and was proud to wear a US Marines cap from his grandson. He doted on his dogs, all West Highland terriers, and constantly tinkered around his home and garden.

Mr. Blackler is survived by his wife, Janice; stepdaughter Kimberly Fullum-Martinez and her husband Jose Martinez of Newton, and their children Vladimiro and Sandrine; and his sister Joyce Beard of Hopedale. He also leaves his nieces and their families, Alison and Andrew Chu of Mendon, and their children Samantha and Alex; Sheila and Seth Brosnan of Leeds, and their sons Tristan and Lucas; and Jessica Kirchen of Maryland and her daughter Trinity; and nephew Christopher Beard of Minnesota. He was predeceased by his sister Patricia Lucas and stepson Timothy A. Fullum.

Calling hours will be held Saturday October 4, 2025 from 9 to 11 A.M. followed by a funeral home service at the Consigli Ruggerio Funeral Home, 46 Water St., Milford. Burial will be private.