Randy Blanchard

Randy Morris Blanchard

Suddenly on Tuesday, May 23/17 near Sidney, MB, Randy Blanchard passed away at the age of 63 years.

Randy was born on a beautiful summer day on August 1, 1953, at the Portage Hospital, to proud first time parents, Shirley and Maurice Blanchard.  Growing up, Randy loved playing hockey, baseball, and running track.  He was proud to be a Portage Terrier, and later played hockey in Houston, BC, with some of his best friends.

At the age of 16, Randy began what became a lifelong career of trucking.  Our dad said that there was nobody that could haul and park a mobile home, like Randy could, and he was 16.  He had the best sense of humor and loved to make his family and friends laugh.  Our family get-togethers will never be the same without Randy.  We were so happy to have him back in Manitoba with us, and were looking forward to plans we had made for the future.

Left to cherish Randy's memory are his children: Carmen with best buddy and grandson Jackson of Victoria, BC, Derek of Calgary, AB  and Tyler and grandson Kash  of Grande Prairie, AB;  mother of his children,  Andrea of Victoria, BC; his mom Shirley Blanchard (special friend Dave Charette); his partner Pam and her two daughters; Randy's brother Dennis (Debbie) of Portage, sisters Daphne (Craig) Steeden of Portage and Corrie (Ric) Inkster of Headingley; and all of his nephews and nieces were special to him; also his Uncle Joe (Allison) Blanchard of Grande Prairie, AB and Uncle Marcel Lavallee of Portage; and hundreds of cousins and friends too many to name.

Randy was predeceased by his sister Lynne Bowden 1997 and dad Maurice Blanchard in 2012.

“My Grandpa would be an eagle because he is a leader and has a lot of authority and power.  The eagle is described as having great strength, leadership and prestige which perfectly matches him because he is always helping people if they have trouble with something. (Such as car trouble because he is a mechanic).  He also teaches people a lot, he has taught me a lot about vehicles and how to make things from scratch and also a lot of life lessons.” -by grandson Jackson for his Social Studies assignment on picking animals which represented his family members.

A public graveside service will take place on Tuesday, May 30th at 11 am at Hillside Cemetary with brother, Dennis Blanchard, officiating.  A gathering of family and friends will take place at the Army & Navy from 12-2 pm.

If friends so desire, donations in memory of Randy may be made to ROK (Recreation Opportunities for Kids) Box 1321 Portage la Prairie, MB  R1N 3L5 or to Arron's Chance 2 Play Hockey Fund c/o Child and Family Services of Central Manitoba at 25-3rd St. SE Portage la Prairie, MB. R1N 1N1.

A tree will be planted and cared for by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel.  www.mckenziesportagefuneralchapel.com 204-857-4021.