William C. "Bill" Blanker

William C. "Bill" Blanker

Greenfield, MA - William C. "Bill" Blanker, 97, of 72 Meadow Wood Drive, Greenfield and of Stowe, VT, died Wednesday (6-11-25) at home.

He was born in Greenfield on May 4, 1928, the son of Rudolph H. and Matilda M. (Scheidler) Blanker. He attended school in Greenfield, graduating in 1945 from Greenfield High School. He graduated in 1949 from Tufts College with a BA in Economics. After graduation he joined Esleeck Manufacturing Co., makers of premium cotton fiber writing and technical papers, in Turners Falls, MA as a Cost Accountant. He was elected Treasurer and Director in 1960, Vice President and Treasurer in 1968, President and CEO in 1973, and Chairman and CEO in 1991. He retired in 2006 when Esleeck became part of Southworth Paper Company.

Bill was active in many civic and community organizations. From 1958 - 1967 he served as a member and then Chairman of the Greenfield School Committee. He was also an elected Town Meeting Member, a member of the Greenfield Finance Committee, Chairman of a committee responsible for drafting a new municipal charter, a member of a subsequent Charter Review Committee, and a Trustee of the Greenfield-Montague Transportation Authority. In addition, Bill served as a Director of the Franklin Medical Center, and a Director, Treasurer and then President of the Greenfield YMCA. He was also a member of the Finance Committee of Baystate Health Care Systems, the Greenfield Republican Committee, and the Patient/Family Advisory Council at both Baystate Franklin and Valley Medical Centers. A life-long member of Second Congregational Church in Greenfield, he served as Moderator and Chairman of the Cabinet, a Trustee, Chairman of the Board of Deacons, Chairman of the Prudential Committee and Chairman of the Executive Committee. In Stowe, VT where he had a second home, he served on the Stonybrook Condo Board for 21 years, the last 10 as President.

Bill supported Camp Wiyaka, a summer camp associated with both the Athol and Greenfield YMCAs, for many years. He attended the camp as a child and then worked as a counselor. Later he became a member of the Board of Directors, serving for over 50 years and holding the positions of Vice President and Chairman of the Camp Committee.

Throughout his career Bill was also active in many business and professional organizations. He was the Chairman of Associated Industries of Massachusetts (AIM), a Director of the American Forest & Paper Association, a member of the Executive Committee of the Printing/Writing Division of the American Forest & Paper Association, Chairman of the Cotton Fiber Group of the same association, a member of the Board of Directors of the Association of Reproduction Materials Manufacturers, President of the Boston Paper Trade Association, a member of the Financial Executives Institute, a Director of the Alliance for the Commonwealth and a Director of Pioneer National Bank. Until recently he served as a director and member of the Executive Committee of AIM and as a founding member and Director of AIM Mutual Insurance Company. Bill was a

member of the Algonquin Club of Boston, the Paper Club of New York, the New England Paper Trade Association, and the Country Club of Greenfield. In 1961 he received the "Outstanding Young Man of the Year" award from the Greenfield Jaycees.

Bill had a variety of outside interests as well. Over the years there were family camping trips in the summer and ski trips in the winter. Bill took up running in the late 1970s and ran quite a few road races. He could be found skiing at Stowe well into his 80s and playing golf until he was 95. After their children "left the nest," Bill and his wife, Ann, took up hiking, biking and traveling in both the US and Europe. He was especially fond of the multiple trips they took to Germany where visits to Munich and the Hofbrauhaus were always mandatory.

He leaves his twin sons, Alan H. Blanker (Joyce) of Greenfield, Charles H. Blanker (Sheila Morrissey, DVM) of Northfield, MA, and a daughter, Susan A. Blanker (Michael Aspinwall) of Cambridge, MA. He also leaves six grandchildren: Sarah Aspinwall (Paul Swartz), Peter Aspinwall (Kristen), Alaina Blanker (Kelsey Buonaiuto), Danny Mimitz (Sam), Ryan Blanker and Eric Blanker. In addition, Bill leaves one great-grandchild, Maeve Swartz, and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased in 2013 by his wife of 63 years, Ann (Harlow) Blanker. He was also predeceased by his sister, Dorothy (Blanker) Dalton in 1993.

There will be no calling hours and burial will be private at Green River Cemetery in Greenfield.

A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held Friday, 6-20-25, at 11:30 AM at Second Congregational Church, 16 Court Square, Greenfield, MA. Rev. Adam Tierney-Eliot will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Bill's name may be made to: Camp Wiyaka, Inc, (c/o Athol Area YMCA, 545 Main Street, Athol MA 01331), or the Franklin County YMCA (451 Main Street, Greenfield, MA 01301).

Arrangements are under the direction of Kostanski Funeral Home. For condolences, please visit www.kostanskifuneralhome.com