Sept. 27, 1921 — April 4, 2015

Henry Stirling Blair Jr., 93, of Niles, passed away at his residence, surrounded by his loving family, on Saturday, April 4, 2015.

He was born on September 27, 1921 in Almirante, Panama to the late Henry Stirling and Charlotte Talford (Bennett) Blair. He grew up splitting time between boarding schools in the U.S. and the banana plantation that his father ran for the United Fruit Company in Panama. By the age of 5 or 6 he had learned to ride horses and speak fluent Spanish.

After high school he attended Hamilton College, in Clinton, New York, majoring in English. While in college, he met Mary Arlene Grammar, the love of his life and the mother of his five children. They were married on August 18, 1942 shortly after he’d enlisted in the U.S. Army. Stirling served his country proudly during WWII, where he received several commendations and was awarded a Purple Heart. Because of his injury and the fact that his first child had been born, he returned stateside, to his wife and baby son. He’d earned enough points to avoid being sent to Japan and was awarded an honorable discharge.

He then was accepted to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Metallurgical Engineering. Much later in life he attended Notre Dame University and received his Masters degree in Engineering.

From 1949 to 1967 Mr. Blair and his wife raised their family and he worked for several companies as an engineer in New Jersey. Moving his family to Niles in 1967, he took a job with Clark Equipment Company in Buchanan as a Metallurgical Engineer, retiring in 1987. His wry sense of humor was known to everyone who knew him. In his spare time he enjoyed golfing, tennis, skiing, hiking, camping and was an avid reader. His most valued treasure was time spent with family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Mary Arlene (Lee) Blair in 1985 and his middle daughter Joan T. Blair in 2012.

Stirling is survived by two daughters Kathy S. (Glenn) Cocoros of Crofton, Maryland and Carol S. (John) Sventy of Kinnelon, New Jersey, a son Kevin S. Blair (Heidi Garrison Blair) of Niles, four grandchildren; Josh (Rebecca) Cocoros of Seattle, Washington, Pamela Lezotte (Jim) Smith of Charlotte, North Carolina, Lacey N. Blair of Niles and Nathan S. Blair of South Bend and four great-grandchildren; Nathan, Savannah, Walker and Sierrah Lezotte. Also surviving him are his second wife Ann Rudman of Niles and her son William Rudman of Stevensville.

Memorial contributions may be made to Heartland Hospice or a veteran’s charity of one’s choice.

A memorial service to celebrate Mr. Blair’s life will be held at Brown Funeral Home on Thursday, April 9, 2015 at 3 p.m. with a time of visitation beginning one-hour prior. The service will conclude with military honors given by members of the U.S. Army.