Samuel 'Sam' Blanchard

Breaux Bridge - A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:00 pm on Wednesday, May 31, 2017, at St. Bernard Catholic Church in Breaux Bridge for Samuel Roy "Sam" Blanchard, 89, who passed away on Sunday, May 28, 2017, at Heart Hospital of Lafayette. The family requests that visiting hours be observed at the funeral home from 5:00 pm until 10:00 pm on Tuesday, and continue on Wednesday at 7:00 am until service time. A rosary will be prayed at 7:00 pm on Tuesday. Rev. Gary Schexnayder will officiate at the Funeral Mass. Scriptures will be read by Helen and Ava Blanchard. Gift bearers will be his 6 great grandchildren. Interment will follow at St. Bernard Cemetery No. 2 in Breaux Bridge. A native and longtime resident of Breaux Bridge. Sam was born on October 26, 1927 to the late Alberie and Octavie Dumatrait Blanchard. Sam honorably served our country for 2 years in the United States Navy and 20 years in United States Air Force. During his tenure, he protected our country in WWII aboard the destroyer USS Preble. Sam was a member of the American Legion Post 133 and Woodman of the World. He loved attending his weekly Masses at St. Bernard Catholic Church and was honored that he made a Cursillo. Sam babysat his grandchildren after the passing of his wife, Lou Ella, which brought him so much joy. Another enjoyment in his life was to help anyone who needed a helping hand. Sam was known to many as a wonderful loving family man He is survived by his son, Randy Blanchard and wife Earline of Lafayette; daughters-in-law, Mandy Blanchard, Vicki Mercer and Priscilla Cazayoux; his grandchildren, Shawn Blanchard and spouse Helen, Jason Blanchard and spouse Natolie, Beau Hotard and spouse Erin, Amy Blanchard Cortez and spouse Chad, Laci Blanchard, Hannah Blanchard and Tanner Blanchard; great grandchildren, Tyler Burns, Cole Blanchard, Andie Burns, Adriana Blanchard, Ava Blanchard and Amelia Hotard; his brothers, Vernon "Sukit" Blanchard and wife Dorothy, and Gerald Blanchard and wife Anita, all of Breaux Bridge; and his sister, Agnes Blanchard Patin of Breaux Bridge. He was preceded in death by wife, Lou Ella Blanchard; his sons, David "Hanks" Blanchard and Danny "Koda" Blanchard; his parents, Alberie and Octavie Dumatrait Blanchard; and his brothers, Alvin "White" Blanchard, Darrell " Black" Blanchard, Ernest "Red" Blanchard, and Cecile Blanchard. Pallbearers will be Jason, Shawn, and Tanner Blanchard, Chad Cortez, Dave Mercer, and Beau Hotard. Pellerin Funeral Home of Breaux Bridge, 211 Berard St., Breaux Bridge, LA 70517, (337-332-2111) is in charge of arrangements.