Henry J. Blais, of Thomaston, passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 28, 2010 surrounded by his loving family. He was the devoted husband of Jane (Rosa) Blais for 59 years. Henry was born, April 7. 1922 in St Boniface, Province of Quebec, Canada, son of Floribert Blais and Marie (Laperriere ) Blais. He leaves four children, Debra (Blais) Tucker and her husband, Richard of Wolcott; Robert J. Blais and his wife, Phyllis of Wolcott; Karla (Blais) Russo and her husband, Michael of Thomaston; Jacklyn (Blais) Frappier and her husband, Michael of Thomaston. He is predeceased by 2 sisters, Juliette (Blais) Hart and Dorothy Blais. He was a resident of Wolcott for 50 years before moving to Thomaston in 2005. While serving time with the 305th Fighter Control Squadron in the Pacific theatre during WWII, Henry received word that he attained status as a naturalized U.S. citizen. He was honorably discharged in January, 1946. Following his combat service, he returned to Waterbury where he gained employment with the New York-New Haven-Hartford Railroad. He continued employment with the United Transportation Union serving the Penn Central Railroad, Conrail Railroad and the Metro-North Railroad for 35 years as a brakeman and conductor before retiring in 1983. He spent his retirement years enjoying his children and grandchildren. His grandchildren would come to learn of the many adventures of their grandfathers interesting life. He shared many stories of his years as a youth in Canada, as an infantryman in places such as Okinawa and Saipan and his fond memories of Shawinigan and Trios Rivieres, Canada. Not only did he enjoy sharing his adventures, he enjoyed his grandchildrens sporting events. His memory will live in the hearts of his grandchildren Gabriel Russo, Blaise Russo, Zachary Frappier, and Jillian Frappier. He was a member of the VFW Post No 1979 and the American Legion Billy Peterson Post 165 of Wolcott and the United Transportation Union. Family and friends may call at the Lyons Funeral Home on High Street, Thomaston at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, December 1. A Christian mass will follow at 11a.m. at St. Thomas Church, Thomaston. Burial will be held at Edgewood Cemetery in Wolcott directly after mass. Memorial contributions may be made in Henrys name to St Judes Childrens Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105(https://www.stjude.org/EmailForms/jsp/contact_form.jsp)

Service Information Visitation Wednesday December 1, 2010 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM Lyons Funeral Home 46 High Street Thomaston, CT 06787 --> Service Wednesday December 1, 2010 11:00 AM Saint Thomas Church 1 East Main Street Thomaston, CT 06787 -->