Croydon, N.H. — Kenneth R. Blanchard, 80, died peacefully on Dec. 23, 2016 at the White River Junction VA Medical Center. He was born on January 24, 1936 in East Barre, Vt. to the late William Dean and June Louise (Hull) Blanchard. Kenneth attended Spaulding High School in Barre, Vt. He served his country in the US Army during the Korean Conflict. He worked at Pratt Whitney in Connecticut and the Granite Sheds in Barre, Vt. and then operated his own gas station, Ken’s ARCO, before working at Sturm Ruger in Newport, N.H. for 23 years.

Kenneth took great pride in meticulously maintaining his home in Croydon, camp in Vermont, and his 1994 truck. He liked NASCAR, enjoyed tending his flower beds, liked to watch the birds at his feeder, and enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and family at his camp that he and his father built. His parents owned the East Barre, Vt. Post Office, which was then passed to Ken whose family still owns it to this day. He has been a member of the American Legion Post #10 in Barre, Vt. since 2003. Kenneth loved his family and his daughter’s dogs, Molly & Jack. He will be greatly missed and his memory will live on forever in our hearts.

He was predeceased by his parents and by his brother, Leslie D. Blanchard.

Surviving family members include his wife of almost 42 years, Nancy (Spencer) Blanchard, daughters, Linda McDaniel and her husband Bill, Jane Stacy and her husband John, Ellen Blanchard, and Jennifer Beaulieu and her husband David, grandchildren, Greg Farnham, Zachary Beaulieu, Nicholas Beaulieu, Nathaniel Beaulieu, Sawyer Beaulieu, and Lindsay McDaniel, his dear friend, Annie Beaulieu, and many extended family members.

The family wishes to thank the VA Hospital and the staff and the VNH for the many years of wonderful & compassionate care they provided Kenneth.

Contributions in Kenneth’s memory can be made to The Wounded Warrior Project, The American Lung Association, or a charity of your choice.

At Kenneth’s request, there will be no funeral or memorial service. A private celebration of his life will be held in the spring.

Newton-Bartlett Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.