BLANCHARD: Dwane "Rusty" Blanchard was born on a very cold winter day in January, 1932. His Uncle Earl took his young mother to Notre Dame Hospital by cutter and horse. Rusty's life was filled with color and despair - each one shaping into who he would become. Facing some hard realities by age 6, Rusty quickly learned he had to be independent and also how to look after his mother and younger sisters. His mother worked to support his family and Rusty was brought up by relatives on surrounding farms, working as a man even though he was still just a child. Later on he was employed at the CN Station, calling in crews on foot early in the morning. They ran to numerous houses as calls came in, as the crews had to be dispatched accordingly to seniority so the more senior employees could have a few extra minutes of sleep, even though it meant Rusty went all night without. A kindly woman who cleaned the station would sometimes allow him to sleep a few hours on the storage shelf, because he also had school during the day. He remembers lining his shoes with newspaper because the soles had worn all the way through. Rusty had many money making schemes growing up. He would hook up his goat to a wagon and pick up bottles after the Prongua dances Laurie you come by it honestly. Rusty had a lot of pain not feeling like he belonged I think that's why family was so important to him. Rusty met the love of his life while she was dating his friend. Jo-Ann would send her girlfriend home to sleep in her bed to provide a clever deception while she stayed out. While writing this eulogy, Grandma maintained this "only happened a few times". Grandma and Grandpa would go out dancing together at least twice a week. Between the jive and the polka it wasn't long before things began to heat up. It didn't take long for these two love birds to be waltzing down the aisle, at the ripe old age of 16 and 21. They would have been married 59 yrs. in July, longer than most of us can ever hope for. Throughout the course of their marriage their family grew to include 5 daughters - 4 of them born in just 3 years and 10 months. The fifth, a tomboy, Rusty called "Sparky", came along several years later, and was all the son he had ever wanted. Through the highs and lows of raising a large family in very hard times, they stuck together and learned that to have a family doesn't always mean things are easy, but you choose to hold on to those you hold dear. Rusty adored Jo, who was his better half. Jo-Ann remembers the many close calls that Rusty had including a broken spine, numerous acid burns and broken bones, of which casts never stayed on for long - usually Rusty removed them, and commonly with a hacksaw - long before doctors' orders. Rusty could also be accident prone with his possessions and not just his body. Grandma recalls getting a phone call from the RCMP; Rusty had gone through the drive thru with his truck at Tim Horton's to grab his usual: unbeknownst to him, the rototiller on the back fell off and blocked the drive through lane for quite some time until staff called the police. It was a red faced Rusty who had to head down to the cop shop to claim his rototiller. It was just this morning, sitting at the kitchen table, that Jo-Ann said to us, there must be a whole company of guardian angels who can now retire with golden medals as Rusty is safely home. Following are some of the stories and moments from the memories of his daughters and family, which we hope will give you a taste of the eccentric humor and unstoppable spirit that the Blanchard family, and especially Rusty, embodies with pride. Some of Rusty's rules for living are as follows. You must ALWAYS cheer for the underdog, no matter what. Don't you ever give up and don't you EVER COMPLAIN. You must be dead to call in sick, and if you are bored, go pound a stick in the ground. If you don't have a war wound from various sports or activities, well then you didn't play hard enough. And if the said war wound is hurting you, give it a slap and then consider yourself kissed aaalll better. Here are some memories from Rusty's girls - starting with the oldest of the group, Debbie. Daddy was always trying to make things easier for me. He told me when I came home from the hospital, as a tiny premature infant, I had to be fed every two hours. He would get up in the night, put his feet on the oven door for warmth, and hold and feed me. I have fond memories of riding in his big mac truck and I used to say 'here comes daddies tuck' as a little girl. When he fuelled up he used to buy us chocolate raisins. Dad wrote me letters when I was 18 and attending nursing school to encourage me. He wasn't one to say "I love you" but in the last few years he would always say it back. Even in his later years, day was like the energizer bunny - he would try to keep on going no matter what was thrown his way. You will be missed daddy, see you when we get to heaven. Love Deb. Next is some memories from Terry. I always wanted to be just like you dad. I was fascinated by all the big trucks you drove, watching you shift all those gears and wanting my turn. I remember stopping at the Sound End Café while you had coffee. I was happy just to be with you, sipping my vico. Some of our best family times were spent at the cottage at the lake. We would get up early eager to find the lake calm and the sun shining. We had water skiing on the brain and we would even get some done before breakfast if the wind was picking up. Sometimes we would just take the boat out for a drive, going through the creek and out onto Jackfish. I also remember you bought us a VW Beetle and we were pretty excited, our first car. I only got one lesson on how to drive stick - and I especially remember the trips to the band hall, going straight and hoping I wouldn't have to stop so I wouldn't stall! To this day I always choose to drive a manual, thanks dad. I'm thankful for you, dad, you helped shape the person I am today. I promise to carry on the tradition to cheer for the underdog and never be a quitter. I've always loved you and I'll be home soon. Terry. Xo Next in line is some memories from Laurie. I remember when we moved to California and got caught in a big snow storm on Donners Pass. A lot of cars were in the ditch but I wasn't afraid, because my dad was driving. I remember the cabin at the lake and having a lot of fun times there, especially skiing. Dad was so proud to get all of us girls up on skis on the lake, all at once! That was a proud day for dad, driving around the lake, with all his girls on skis behind him. I remember when we were too little to water ski, dad McGivered a little surf board to tow behind the boat, Shea Shea was only 3 yrs old when she first cruised around the lake on that little surf board. Christmas time always had the perfect tree thanks to dad. After he had the lights perfectly set, and only then, could we decorate. Dad I will always miss you so much, I love you to the moon and back, I'll see you on the other side. Your favorite middle daughter, Laurie. Onto to some memories, from Barby. I remember Dad taking us skating on the pond in the country in wintertime. He used to b ring home tootsie rolls for us, and he used to make soft boiled eggs for us all at the green house. They weren't very good dad, they were horribly runny. I also have many water skiing memories, only dad could water ski and keep his hat on. I remember the first car you got for me dad; it was a little white station wagon with a hole in the floorboard beside the gearshift. I remember watching the road go by as I drove. I remember when Heidi was about 12, she saved up enough money to buy a horse. Of course she got a bargain in Geanie, a retired chuck wagon pony. We knew very little about horses, so we were often calling dad for help. One cold winter, we found Geanie in the barn, unable to get up. So what did we do, but call our personal animal doctor, Rusty. He somehow rigged up a support sling so that she basically hung there until she gathered enough strength to stand. Of course this was due to dad bringing an old remedy that he swore by, the Dr. Bells. Between regular dosing of Dr. Bells and a few quarts of oats, Geanie was soon let down from the sling to die another day. Love Barby. Last but not least, we have memories from Shea. There are many memories with dad, all of them colorful in one way or another. What stands out is how he made me laugh, most times we laughed right to tears. We used to laugh as he did his little jig in the kitchen in his underwear. Life was never dull - EVER! Dad liked to think of me as his boy, and luckily I was a tomboy so this worked out perfectly. Dad always had a flair for everything; even beaching his boat on Sunday evenings was an event in itself. Dad's attitude of work hard, play hard and never give up has always stayed with me, whether we were relaxing with coffee, skiing at Table Mountain, or camping at the lake, life was an adventure. Thanks dad for always coming to any crisis - you never said no. Love your youngest daughter Sparky. He is survived by his loving wife of 59 years Jo-Ann and his loving children Debbie (Colin), Terry (Gordon), Laurie (Greg), Barby (Edwin) and Shea (Johnny); along with sisters Joansie Spotowski; 21 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Rusty was predeceased by his mother Violet Hoganson, sister Ferne Brown, sons-in-law Larry Schmaltz and Lorne Weiler; grandchildren Christie Lee and Mason John. Rusty's spirit will always be with us and it will carry on through his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. We cherish the times we had with him, and look forward to the time when we will all be together again. Our family would like to express gratitude for the many gifts, prayers and words of encouragement that were showed during the past weeks. God Bless You All. The Blanchard Family. _____________________________________________________________
