Paul S. Blackwelder Sr., age 91, of Indian Rocks Beach, FL. Passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 7, 2017. Paul was born on August 6, 1925, to the late James Blackwelder and Mary (Kellough) Blackwelder in Concord, NC. Paul was predeceased by his wife, Norine Holbrook Blackwelder, and his children Stephen, James, and Maria. He was the last surviving sibling and was predeceased by Virginia, James, David Eugene, Mafalda, Edgar, Genevieve, Anthony and William. He is survived by his son, Paul Jr. (Pete) and his wife Joyce (Zatarain) Blackwelder, and his daughter-in-law Sandy Blackwelder. He leaves his loving grandchildren, Melissa, Stephen Jr., Heather and her husband Tony, Rebecca (Becky) and her husband Mike, Paul III, Brooke, Sean and Kelly. Paul was a veteran of WWII and saw action in the North Atlantic, the Mediterranean, the Pacific and was a part of the Occupational Forces in Japan. He married Norine on March 16, 1945 in S. Portland, Maine and made his home in South Windsor, CT until he retired from the United States Post Office in 1990. Paul was a Past Exalted Ruler of The Rockville Lodge of Elks #1359 and was a past member of the Directors Staff at the Melha Temple in Springfield, MA.
One of his favorite past times was watching his grandchildren, Paul and Brooke, play football for the Ellington Roadrunners and then later for Ellington High School. Paul enjoyed auto racing and a shot of moonshine now and then. Paul was a true patriot with undying love for his country. He was very proud of his granddaughter who retired from the United States Navy as Chief Petty Officer Heather Jurek, Information Systems Technician. Relatives and friends may join the family on Sunday March 12, 2017 between 7pm-9pm with an Elks Memorial Ritual at 8pm at the Burke-Fortin Funeral home, 76 Prospect St., Rockville, CT. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Monday, March 13, 2017 at 10am at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 673 Ellington Road, South Windsor, CT. Burial will follow at St. Mary Cemetery in East Hartford, CT.
A reception will follow at the Rockville Elks Lodge #1359, 9 N. Park St., Vernon, CT.
Charitable donations can be made to The Sisters of Mercy, 101 Mercy Dr., Belmont, NC 28012 or to the Elks National Foundation c/o Secretary at Rockville Elks, 9 North Park St. Vernon, CT. For online condolences visit www.pietrasfuneralhome.com

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