Leo H. Blanchette

Leo H. Blanchette age 85 of Methuen, MA, died Saturday June 10 at the Merrimack Valley Hospice House of Haverhill MA, while surrounded by his loving Family. He was born and lived in Lawrence MA prior to moving to Methuen MA, where he attended Methuen Schools, and spent the rest of his life. Leo initially worked on the Family farm, and at the Family store named ?Blanchette?s Market?, located in Methuen MA. He was then drafted into the U.S. Army, was a member of ?The Big Red One?, and was stationed in Hamburg, Germany during the Korean War, where he attained the rank of Corporal. In 1968, Leo opened his first gas & repair station named ?Pelham Street Phillips 66?, located at 165 Pelham Street in Methuen. In 1972, Leo was awarded the ?Statewide Service Station of the Year Award?, by the State of Massachusetts Petroleum Council. When ?Phillips 66? moved out of the northeast region, he closed this gas station, and purchased a Texaco gas & repair station just down the street, and named it: ?Leo?s Texaco?. Many years later, Texaco also moved out of the northeast region. Leo then became the General Manager of ?Joe?s Shell? located at 136 Pelham Street, until semi-retirement. Upon leaving the gas station & auto repair business, Leo was employed by the City of Methuen Police Department part-time as a Public Safety Monitor, and later worked as a City of Methuen Crossing Guard for 17 years. He was an avid fisherman, candlepin bowler, and former member of the ?Knights of Columbus? of Methuen. Leo is survived by: his Wife of 61 years; Margaret (Lacourse) Blanchette, His Son; Michael W. Blanchette and Wife Diane, his Grandchildren; Mikayla, Isabella, Erika, Michael, and Abigail Blanchette of Methuen. Leo is also survived by his Sister; Yvette Moreau of Concord NH, his Brother; Phillip Blanchette and Wife Jackie of Pelham NH, his Brother; Francis Blanchette of Townsend, MA, Brother; Robert Blanchette and Wife Georgette of Ft. Lauderdale, FL, and several Nieces and Nephews. Leo was predeceased by: his Parents; Louis and Yvonne (Hebert) Blanchette of Methuen, Sister; Lucille (Blanchette) Hamel of Methuen, and Brother; Walter W. Blanchette of Salem NH. Friends and guests are invited to call on Wednesday, June 14, 2017 from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM at the Kenneth H. Pollard Funeral Home, 233 Lawrence St. Methuen. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, June 15, 2017 at 11:00 AM at St. Monica?s Parish of Methuen. Interment to follow at Immaculate Conception Cemetery. Memorial Contributions may be made to the following non-profit charities, in Leo?s name: Merrimack Valley Hospice House, 360 North Ave, Haverhill, MA 01830 or to The Alzheimer?s Association - Massachusetts/New Hampshire Chapter, 309 Waverley Oaks Road Waltham, MA 02452. For directions and online guestbook, please visit the funeral home website, www.pollardfuneralhome.com. The Kenneth H. Funeral Home is honored to serve the Blanchette Family.

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Leo H. Blanchette