BOUND BROOK, N.J. – Charles P. Blais, 84, formerly of Rutland, died Sunday, Feb. 14, 2021, after a brief illness. Charlie was married to his loving wife Jeannette Witalec for over 55 years. Charlie graduated in 1955 from Chester High School. After graduation, Charlie was an active member of the Army Reserves for over 15 years. He had strong roots in Ludlow serving as a special officer for the Ludlow Police Department, serving on the Ludlow Board of Trustees, and working for the Ludlow Ambulance Service. Charlie was employed by the Gear Shaper Company in Springfield for over 20 years prior to transitioning to General Electric where he retired in 2006 after 35 years of service.
After retirement, Charlie filled his free time with his vast array of hobbies. Charlie was passionate about his vegetable and flower gardens. He was most well known for sharing his plentiful bounty of prize-winning squash, eggplant, and tomatoes to every passerby. He loved cooking and eating, especially his favorite traditional Polish food, Pierogi. Jeannette always kept Charlie on his toes with a long honey-do list; but when asked, he would say he filled his time puttering around the house looking for any project to keep him busy.
Charlie was predeceased by his parents, sisters Anne and Martha, and brother Arthur Blais.
Survivors include his wife Jeannette; brother Philip Blais of California; sister Eva Blais of Connecticut; brother-in-law John Witalec and wife Sylvia Witalec of Ludlow; son Michael Blais and his wife Maria Blais of Mount Holly, son Ronald Blais of Bridgewater, N.J.; six grandchildren Michele Burrington (Joseph Burrington), Melanie Blais McAtee (Michael McAtee), Megan Blais, Michael Blais, Garrett Blais, Brandon Blais; and three great-grandchildren Teegan, Mackenzie, and Martin.
No celebration of life will be held at this time. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Rutland County Humane Society, which provided Jeannette with her second best friend. Rutland County Humane Society, 765 Stevens Rd., Pittsford, VT 05763.