BLANCHARD: Roy Harrison Blanchard of the Simmie Area, SK passed away at the Cypress Regional Hospital, Swift Current, April 11, 2012, at the age of 86 years. Roy was born to Napoleon and Sophia Blanchard at the family farm in the Vesper/Bissell district on October 7, 1925. He was the ninth in the family of ten siblings. Roy attended school at Bissell and spent one year living with his oldest sister, Florence, at Sinnett, SK, where he obtained his grade eleven. He said it was quite an experience for this farm boy never having been away from home before. After Roy's brother, Joe, passed away in 1949, he took over the family farm. Roy never married and he and his sister, Mae, made a home for each other until Mae's death in 1989. It was sometime after this that Roy had both knees replaced and his good friend, Ann Blackmer, became his housekeeper, until her passing in 2007. In his younger years, Roy liked to play ball. He played soft ball with the Vesper Stars team and then played third base with the Simmie baseball team. He and Mae were active in the Curling Club in Simmie. Roy was and avid curler and even watched the 2012 World Curling on TV in February, commenting on strategies and great shots that the curlers were making. In the area of volunteer work, Roy served as Councillor for division 6 in the R.M.of Lac Pelletier # 107, from 1973-1987. He served on the Vesper Wheat Pool committee as well as the Rail Retention committee at Simmie in th 1990's. He was a lifetime member at St. Anne's Catholic Parish at Lac Pelletier and the Knights of Columbus. Roy's heart was in the farm. He raised livestock in the earlier years and gradually was totally grain farming. This farm has been in the Blanchard name since 1909 -103 years. Roy was interested in politics and current events. Hence, the radio and TV dials were permanently set at CBC. He was a private person. He never rushed into a decision, Always weighing the pros and cons. He was serious, not one to boast and a hard worker. He had the amazing ability to remember names and dates from years gone by. The funeral mass was held at Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church in Swift Current on Monday, April 16, 2012 at 2:00 P.M., with Father James Owolagba officiating. The eulogist was Bev Hagen and the organist was Yolande Gorrill. The ushers were Allan Paul and Howard Ailsby. The pallbearers were: Graham Heisler, Neil Spetz, Greg Paul, Murray Heisler, Merle Spetz and Jeff Spetz. The interment service was held at Memory Gardens Cemetery, Swift Current, SK. Roy is survived by his sister Joan Spetz; sister-in-law Jean Blanchard and numerous nieces and nephews. Roy was predeceased by his parents: Napoleon and Sophia Blanchard; sisters and brothers-in-law: Florence Bell, Marion (Clifford) Paul, Helen (Peter) Gilchrist, Clara (Russell) Wilson and Mae Blanchard. brothers and sisters-in-law: Raymond (Leona) Blanchard, Joe and George Blanchard and a brother-in-law Carl Spetz. Memorial donations in his memory to a charity of the donor's choice, would be appreciated by the family. Warren's Funeral Home, Swift Current were entrusted with the arrangements. For further information call (306) 773-8831: 1-800-267-6606 or visit our website at www.warrensfuneralhome.com and express your sympathy to family members in our book of condolences.