Joseph R. Blaise, 91, of Lecanto, FL. Funeral service is 1:00 PM, Friday, November 16, 2012 at Florida National Cemetery, 6502 SW 102nd Avenue, Bushnell, Florida 33513 with Captain Arthur Nave and the Marion County Memorial Honor Guard officiating and providing full military honors.
Joseph was born on May 5, 1921 in Poughkeepsie, NY and was raised on Long Island, NY, by his father Joel Blaise and his mother Bess (Pincheon) Blaise. His wife Vivian Blaise who passed away on August 27, 2006 and is buried at Florida National Cemetery. He is predeceased by his parents and a sister, Prudence Blaise Wimett.
Joe was a member of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association where he was active until failing health prevented it. He served with the US Army Air Force and was stationed at Scoffield Barracks in Hawaii during the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 and was wounded during his service. After leaving the military, he became a Special Agent with the US Treasury Department until his retirement in 1977. Joe was detailed on special assignment with the Secret Service detail guarding President Nixon and his family and has many pictures of that time .
He is survived by a sister, Mary Keros of Salisbury, VT and a nephew, Thomas Merrifield of Weybridge, VT and a niece, Gail Aeroste of Albany, NY.
He was a Master Mason ( F&AM ) and spent over 50 years in the State of NY, Cornucopia Lodge.
Please send all floral arrangements directly to the cemetery prior to service date and time.
Veterans Funeral Care, (727) 524-9202
Dearest Family,
I am the cousin of Joseph Blaise and of Mary Keros. My Father is the late John W. Thacher from California. My condolences and heartfelt prayers to our family.
Love Concetta Thacher Stoia