Alfred A. Blanchard

Lincoln – Mr. Alfred A. Blanchard of Lincoln, formerly of Waltham, died Sunday, November 14, 2004 at Saints Memorial Medical Center, Lowell. He was 59. Born and raised in Waltham, the son of Esther E. (Palumbo) Blanchard and the late Aime A. Blanchard, he moved to Lincoln in 1992. He was the author of five mystery novels and several short stories and had recently published a sixth book, a collection of short stories entitled, The Stalker and other Tales of Love and Murder. Before becoming a full time writer, Al owned an art gallery, a music store, a restaurant, taught literacy to blind adults and for thirty-four years taught geography at Kennedy Middle School in Waltham. He also loved and collected music and was an avid tennis player at Weston Racquet Club. He currently served as President of the New England Chapter of the Mystery Writers of America. In addition to his mother, Al leaves his wife, Enid (Koltov) Blanchard; his mother-in-law, Sylvia Koltov of Delray Beach, Florida; his sisters and brothers in-law, Beverly Koltov of Singer Island, Florida, Lloyd Koltov and his wife Karen of Framingham and Nadine Ragazzo and her husband Jim of Mansfield; four nieces and nephews, Jennifer and Stuart Koltov and Erica and Benjamin Ragazzo and many loving aunts, uncles and cousins. He was also a son-in-law of the late Frank Koltov. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Funeral at 10 a.m. Wednesday from The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham followed by a Funeral Mass in Sacred Heart Church, corner of River and Newton Sts., Waltham at 11 a.m. Burial will be in Sharon Memorial Park, Sharon. Visiting hours at the funeral home are Tuesday from 4 to 8 p.m. and a Memorial Observance will be held at the home of Lloyd and Karen Koltov in Framingham through Thursday evening. Memorial donations may be made to the Al Blanchard Scholarship Fund, c/o John Graceffa, Waltham High School, 617 Lexington Street, Waltham, MA 02452.