I had the privilege of knowing Blair for the past 5 years as a fellow volunteer at Glendale Memorial Hospital. I looked forward to seeing him each week because he was so cheerful and always made me laugh. I was shocked and deeply saddened to hear he had passed. He was such a lovely man with a delightful energy. He will stay in my heart forever. My condolences to his family.

I cannot imagine a tighter brother-sister bond than Blair and I had. The pain of his loss for me is deep, but so also is the relief that his illness was not prolonged and he was not in pain. Wouldn't Blair have wanted us to see it that way?
When I think of Blair the first word that comes to mind is effervescent. Each time spent with him left me feeling more upbeat, joyful and more loved. As I attempt to describe Blair I keep coming up with superlatives: the most generous, the biggest heart, the best hugger, the most positive, the best brother-uncle-cousin-friend, etc., the funniest and the funnest, the quickest wit, and the best listener.
Blair was so other-directed that he absolutely reveled in hearing about all of us. He took such joy and pride in hearing about our day, our accomplishments, our thoughts and our interests.
And his contagious humor was present right up until his last week when the nurse and I broke into uproarious laughter over his hilarious comments. Blair loved to make me laugh, and I was his #1 fan.
I will try to pay forward much of what Blair gave to me, and his spirit certainly lives on in his loved ones.

Dear Blair,

Your smile said it all!! Therein lies the joyful energy force that you posessed that is like no other. You had a talent for always seeing the positive, breathing out the love, laughing with your entire being, and making us all feel special in your own amazing way!
Although many miles kept us apart, I could always feel your presence nearby. You were Uncle Blair to our girls and the dearest of friends to Jim and I. The only part of your journey that I regret is the missed opportunities to share more laughter in person and to feel your BIG hugs that always made us all feel so loved and appreciated!
I will miss you dear Blair, more than words can say, but your memory lives on forever and makes me smile ......and for that I will always be grateful!

Love you always and forever.....

As I sit here, heartbroken over the loss of my dearest Uncle Blair, listening to The Supremes playing in the background, I can picture Uncle Blair singing along, smiling, and laughing that contagious laugh of his. Uncle Blair was a truly special person, and I feel so lucky to have had 34 magical years with him. He was such an integral part of our family and it is impossible to imagine him no longer with us. Uncle Blair had a very rare combination of radiant energy, joy for life, the BEST sense of humor, inclusivity, humility, and a deep interest in others. He was totally authentically himself. Uncle Blair took such pleasure in social connection and relished times spent together. My inbox is filled with emails from Uncle Blair sent after various get togethers with subject lines like “WONDERFUL EVENING, “PERFECT DAY,” and “STILL AGLOW.” He knew how to make you feel special, because he truly believed you were. May Uncle Blair’s spirit, and his legacy of generosity, laughter, and gratitude, live on in all of us.

There are really no words and my attempts to find them have failed miserably. I am broken-hearted for all of us.
He was such a unique man. I have never met anyone quite so joyous at the simple prospect of life, in and of itself. He was one of the very few people able to look only at the positive, while able to truly empathize with others when the need arose. His ability to forgive the trespasses of others, as well as his own, and embrace the act of forgiveness in it’s entirety made him a rarity of magnificent proportions. The loss of him punches a huge hole in the fabric of this life and his absence will be sorely felt by all of us blessed enough to have had him in our lives.

In the words of my niece Megan Smith, “b’ess you B’air.” She was 3 or 4 y.o. and she was totally smitten by this tall, good looking man who had just carried her through the snow. Prince Charming, indeed.

I’ll be keeping my eye out for the hummingbird.

Though I did not know you, I know your sister, who is delightful and loving, with a smile that can light up a room.
Simply knowing you came from a loving, caring family ensured you were a wonderful, giving brother. 
May the memories and laughter you brought to others comfort them, while God carries you home on the wings of angels.
Be blessed on your journey/

Even though I have only known you for a short time, you left an everlasting memory. You will be dearly missed by all of us. Keep smiling Blair!

This poem by Mary Elizabeth Frye has helped me on more than one occasion, so I thought I would share it.
Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there I do not sleep
I am a thousand winds that blow
I am the diamond glints on snow
I am the sunlight on ripened grain
I am the gentle autumn’s rain

When you awaken in the morning’s hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
of quiet birds in circled flight
I am the soft stars that shine at night
Do not stand at my grave and cry
I am not there, I did not die

To my dear, dear friend of over 50 years - thank you.

Long time memories of Blair continue to make me smile, among the deep sadness of his loss. I am grateful for the loving role he played in my dear friend, Megan's life and the joy he brought to many. Our hearts are with his family and friends.

Blair's sense of humor will be with me forever.

Gretchen

Hi Blair,

I am delighted to receive your invitation and approve of the menu below:




MENU AT CHEZ BLAIR




APERITIFS: L'eau Chez Blair




HORS D' OEUVRES: Noix, Assortiment de Fromage,

                  Cingles




ENTRES: Saucisson sec, Saucissson au poivre, Plus de Fromage, Trop de Fromage




DESERTS: Les Chocolates, Biscotti, Merde- Plus de Fromage




What time should we appear on New Year's Day?

Love,

G.


So happy it meets with your approval! SLIGHT change though: My oven is out, so we'll have to move the party to YOUR place. And let's make it an all-night New Year's EVE party instead, so we can ring in the new decade together. Guests should arrive at Via Arbolada no later than 9:00 tomorrow night. I'll leave the menu for the 1/1/2020 New Year's Day brunheon up to you. CAN'T WAIT!