Edward T. Blair, Sr.

edward blair,

May 26, 1930 ~ July 15, 2021

Born in: Hamden, CT
Resided in: Hamden, CT

Ed passed away on Thursday, July 15, 2021 at Connecticut Hospice in Branford. He was born on May 26, 1930 to the late Alice (Joslyn) and L. Edward Blair. They loved and encouraged him throughout his life, telling him he could be anything that he wanted. Ed put himself through college at Dartmouth, and law school at Columbia. He was an Assistant Attorney General for the State of CT.
Ed loved his family more than anything else. He is predeceased by his beloved wife Joanne, with whom he raised five children, his sister, Mary Anderson, with whom he recalled never having cross words, his daughter, Cindy, and his son, Ted. He is survived by three daughters, Karen (George) Jahn, Sharon (Dean) Cerasoli, and Michelle (Alison Butterfield) Blair, his grandchildren, George, Stephen (Kimberly Cappiello) & Elizabeth Jahn; Benjamin & Emily Cerasoli, and Kyle & Tucker Ahlers, and extended family members.
Ed loved life. He was quick to laugh, give you a hug, play the piano, dance the polka, and tell a story. He travelled extensively in his later years with his wife and treasured those moments. Ed was a Literacy Volunteer, sang in a barbershop quartet, played the piano at CT Hospice and other locations, was a member of several local bridge groups, and hosted Bible Group and a small Christian Community at his home for many years. Even in the darkest of times he had hope. He never failed to find the blessings in life.
A Memorial Mass will be Celebrated on Saturday, July 31 at 10:00 a.m. in Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 2819 Whitney Avenue, Hamden. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Ed’s memory may be sent to the charity of one’s choice. Arrangements are in care of BEECHER & BENNETT FUNERAL HOME, 2300 Whitney Avenue, Hamden.

Services

Memorial Mass: July 31, 2021 10:00 am

Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church
2819 Whitney Avenue
Hamden, CT 06518

203-248-0141

View current weather.

Memories Timeline

Guestbook

  1. Dear Cousins,
    We offer our sincere condolences on the passing of your dad. Ed was a great guy and one of the nicest people we have been privileged to know. We will be at a family reunion in Maryland on July 31 and unable to attend his memorial Mass. We wish we could be there in person but we do send our love and a big virtual hug to all of you.

    Donald and Margaret

  2. Dear Blair Family. I had the honor and privilege of Ed being a vital part of St Rita Elderly Ministry when I served as coordinator. He was ever at the ready and never hesitated to help in any way he could. He drove parishioners to doctors appointments…transported them to Mass driving the Church van and delivered food to them at every holiday. He was a consummate gentleman. Many years after my retirement I again met Ed while he was a volunteer at Hospice. My husband was gravely ill and Ed served as a comfort and a good friend. I know this dear man is forever at peace and being honored by God for his Christian works on earth.

    • Gail, I want to thank you for your lovely words and remembering Dad. We were all part of St. Rita’s for many years, and I know he loved helping in any way he could be of service.
      Thank you for sharing your personal experience, too.
      It means a lot!

  3. I’m very sorry to read of your Dad’s passing. He and my Dad, Bob Garvey, commuted together for many years. I know my Dad enjoyed their time in the car together. Your Dad always greeted me with a huge smile when I would run into him around Hamden after my Dad’s passing.

    • Kathleen,
      Thank you for your lovely words!
      I remember stories about your Dad from the carpooling days.
      Dad enjoyed Bob and their time to and from Hartford.
      Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

  4. Dear Blair Family…I am very sorry to read of your dads passing.I met him many years ago in a caregivers group when your mom was alive. Then met him again in a bereavement group after both your mom & brother passed away.

    He was a wonderful man, very bright & witty. I feel honored to have known him.

    May he rest in peace. May you stay strong, having each other for support.

    Fondly, Sandie Beatificato

    • Dear Sandie,
      You really captured Dad’s essence, wonderful, bright and witty!
      Thank you for posting here, the Caregivers group helped Dad so very much, and same with the bereavement group.
      Thank you

  5. We were saddened to hear of the death of your father. He was one of the nicest people we have ever known. Our family’s association with your dad goes back many years from when our mom (Virginia) walked him to Church Street School and our dad (George) worked summers with him at Sealtest Dairy. He was always available to provide sound counsel, friendship and tell a great story. He will be missed.

    Susan, Linda and David Kelly

    • Thank you Susan!
      I remember Dad mentioned your parents often.
      I did not realize the Church St. or Sealtest connections, loved hearing that.
      Thank you for your kind words, my sisters and I dearly miss Dad but we were blessed to have him for so many years.

  6. Dear Ed’s family
    I was very sorry to hear about Ed He Joanne, Len and we were good friends for many years, usually saw them at events for St Rita’s since we worked on keeping the School open

  7. Grandpa Ed was such a kind soul. I will always remember his hearty laugh, sweet birthday cards, and ability to converse about absolutely anything! I also really appreciated his open-mindedness and willingness to accept all people as they are. He will be missed.

  8. I remember when I was on vacation, we went swimming at Uncle Ed’s pool,I inadvertently jumped in the deep end of the pool thank God my cousins were expert swimmers, or I wouldn’t be alive today. RIP Uncle Ed Blair,Please say Hello to My Aunt Pat And Uncle Bill,And My Mother And Father. Robert Earl And Mary Kay Fogarty.

  9. Have many memories of the good times, and get together visits that took place in the family. Riley ‘s was always our touchdown place whenever the Fogarty ‘s made the trip. Our Condolences are with you at this time and always.

  10. Deepest sympathy to the Blair family. I always enjoyed seeing your Dad and listening to his stories and conversation. His love for his family was immensely evident. Wishing you peace and joy and in the many wonderful memories of him.

  11. Our deepest condolences to the Blair family, seeing your Dad brings many good memories of him when we would see him & Joanne at his sister’s house in Stratford. We still deeply miss our “Aunt Mary” , and we know she respected & loved her brother dearly. Again, our deepest sympathies.
    The Nash Family
    Stephanie, Martha, Joanne
    Therese Nash (passed 10/22/2016)


Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle

Accessibility Tools
hide