Bernard Blair
Published 2:41 pm Thursday, August 7, 2008
He was born Jan. 3, 1921 to the late Samuel O. and Louise M (Tyrell) Blair in Peoria, Ill.
A graduate of the University of Michigan and a certified public accountant, Louis went to Mansfield, Ohio, in 1950 and served as controller for Barnes Manufacturing until 1956, when he joined Ingersoll-Humphryes Division. He was vice-president of the plumbing products division of Borg-Warner Corp. and also chairman of the board of Fibermold Corp, the Los Angeles subsidiary of the Mansfield division. On Nov. 15, 1965 Louis was appointed to the post of vice president and director of corporate planning for Wickes Corp in Saginaw, Mich. He often moved for the company and upon his retirement in 1986 from Flintkote Corp. as vice president and chief financial officer, he and his wife, Joan, resided in North Carolina for 20 years. While in Tryon, he was treasurer of the Rotary Club, Habitat for Humanity, and also Holy Cross Episcopal Church. Louis was a member of the Red Fox Country Club Men&squo;s Association.
While in Mansfield, Louis was associate chairman of the 1965 United Appeal Campaign. He served as president of the Rotary Club, the Junior Chamber of Commerce and the Junior Achievement of North Central Ohio. He was vice president of the Manufacturers&squo; Council, a member of the board of directors of Junior Achievement, past president of the Jaycee Heart Fund, past president of the University of Michigan Alumni Club and a member of the Richland Trust Co. advisory board. He served as treasurer of Habitat for Humanity, and was a member and treasurer of the various Episcopal churches in the many communities in which he resided. Louis was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church in Bay City. During World War II, he honorably served his country in the U.S. Army as a master sergeant.
On Feb. 16, 1946 he married the former Joan M. Loffi, who survives along with his two daughters, Susan Hoyle of Bay City, Kathleen&bsp; Spreadbury of Pensacola, Fla.; four grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; his sister-in-law; and his nephews and niece.
He was preceded in death by two brothers: Kenneth Blair and Samuel Blair.
A memorial service will be held Friday, Aug. 8 at 11 a.m. in Trinity Episcopal Church, with Rev. Michael Herman officiating. Cremation has taken place and inurnment will take place in Trinity Church columbarium. There will be no visitation hours at the W. A. Trahan Funeral Chapel. Visiting hours with the family will be only Friday at the church after 10 a.m.
Memorial contributions may be designated for the Trinity Episcopal Church, 815 N. Grant, Bay City, Mich. 48708. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the W. A. Trahan Funeral Chapel, 256 N. Madison Ave., Bay City, Mich. 48708. (www.trahanfc.com.)