Obituary of Lloyd Roger Blanchette

With extreme sorrow, the family of Lloyd Roger Blanchette announce his passing on Monday, January 13th, 2025, while at the Fort St. John Hospital Palliative Care Unit.

Lloyd Blanchette, born in Edam, Saskatchewan on the 30th of March, 1936, was the third child of nine to parents Louis and Delores Blanchette. As a child, he attended Lavigne School until grade seven, when the duties of farm life became too much. He had to give his Dad the ultimatum: "Either I work on the farm, or I go to school. I can't do both." The tractor it was.

In 1953, seventeen-year-old Lloyd left home for the first time to play hockey in St. Paul. Shortly after, he and his cousin Victor headed to Edmonton for work. The two young men found lodging at a hotel on the corner of Whyte Ave. The best part was the cabaret accross the street. In typical Lloyd fashion, he befriended the doorman who would sneak them in to have a couple "pops" and listen to live music, including a young Johnny Cash!

After a few years, the boys were transferred to Fort St. John. It was here, while hanging out at Pappy's Service Station, that Lloyd met the pretty bank teller, Eleanor Tiegs. Lloyd was building a small house at the time, and he repeatedly asked her what colour paint he should use. When Eleanor tells this story, she says "Why should I care what flippin' colour he used?!" On April 18th of this year, Lloyd and Eleanor Blanchette would have been married sixety-five years! It was never really about the paint colour.

In 1959, tired of having to work away from home, Lloyd joined the BC Telephone Company where he worked for thirty-two years before retiring in 1991.

With their family growing, Lloyd and Eleanor soon outgrew the little house that Lloyd built, and moved on to a farm just outside of Fort St. John. On Christmas Eve, 1968, misfortune struck and their house burnt to the ground. They eventually moved to North Pine, where they remained until recent years.

Working at the Telephone Company also allowed Lloyd to partner up with cousin Victor, and get back into farming again, something that he'd missed.

Lloyd loved all sports, particularly hockey. He was a defensemen on Fort St. John's very first senior team, the Flyers, as well as a coach to his boys, and a fan of many. He enjoyed cards, reading and playing the stocks. He enjoyed the hot sun and travelling; he and Eleanor spent the past 34 winters in Yuma, Arizona. He loved adventure. He loved a good time- and knew how to find one. Lloyd made, and more importantly kept, friends and connections.

Hands down, Lloyd's biggest passion was his family. Family was of the utmost importance to him. Nothing made him happier than everyone getting together.

Lloyd leaves behind a legacy of love, kindness and compassion. He will be forever missed by his wife Eleanor, children Marilyn (Phil), Jimmy, Donna (Eamon), Bonnie (Korey), Bruce, and Micheal (Sheri), brothers Marcel (Mardelle), Philip (Marilyn) (sister-in-law Claudette), Roland (Yvonne), Guy, Gerard (Florence), grandchildren Kalen (Elyse), Lisa, Dawson, Mya, Shea, Luc (Abby), Megan, Rebecca, Taiyler, Cade, Max, and Holly.

Lloyd was predeceased by his Mom and Dad, Louis and Dolores Blanchette, sisters Armelle (Martial, Liliane) and Doril, brothers Lionel (Marie) and Bernard, daughter-in-law Landra, as well as numerous cousins and friends.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00am, January 31st, 2025 at the Church of the Resurrection, with a gathering to follow at the Church Hall.

In lieu of flowers, Lloyd would rather see you do this: Make that phone call, take time for that visit, keep in touch with your neighbours. That's who Dad was.

"Hey, turn down that road. I think I have a friend that lives down there."

- Lloyd Blanchette