Bathurst - Edward "Ned" Blanchard, 81, of Gosnell St., Bathurst, passed away on Monday (April 26, 2010) at the Chaleur Regional Hospital, Bathurst.

Born in Bathurst, he was the son of the late Wilfred and Laura (Boucher) Blanchard.

He worked as a millwright for most of his life with the former Consolidated Bathurst Paper Mill.  He was an avid fisherman and enjoyed spending time with his wife at his camp in the Miramichi.

Besides his wife, Clothilda (Lagacy) Blanchard, he was a devoted father to his children:

One son:

Robert Blanchard of Bathurst

One daughter:

Virgina Provost (David) of Ely, Nevada, USA

Two brothers:

John (Jenny) of Waterloo, ON

Raymond (Gloria) of Bathurst

Four sisters:

Veronica Hachey and

Peggy Doucet (Edmund "Boy" Melanson) both of Bathurst

Pauline Forsey (Walter) of Riverview

Phyllis Brideau (Andrew) of Beresford

He enjoyed time with his grandchildren; Robert, Timothy, Kira, Tristan, great-grandson; Connor, several nieces and nephews.

He was pre-deceased by a brother; Kenneth.

There will be no visitation at the Funeral Home.  A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday (April 29, 2010) at 2 p.m. from Holy Family Church, St. Peter Ave, Bathurst.  Arrangements are in the care of Elhatton's Funeral Home (www.elhatton.com), Bathurst.  Donations in memory of Edward may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, Canadian Cancer Society, the Salvation Army or a favorite charity.