AUBURN – On Oct. 8, Ralph Daniel Blanchard, 80, of Auburn, went home to be reunited with his wife, Elizabeth, after a courageous battle with cancer. He passed away at his home surrounded by family.

He was born in Auburn to Daniel and Henrietta (Norton) Blanchard on March 25, 1927. He was educated in Auburn schools graduating from Edward Little in 1945. He received a two-year agricultural degree from University of Maine, Orono, in 1947.

On June 15, 1947, he married Elizabeth E. Hickey of Turner, who predeceased him in 2004 after 56 years of marriage.

In 1948, he took over his father’s dairy farm, Blanchard’s Farm, and Ralph and Elizabeth continued in the dairy business until 1966 when they sold the farm and built their new home on Blanchard Road. Ralph or “Gramp,” as most people knew him, was especially proud of the innovations and accomplishments made on the farm, including being named Outstanding Conservation Farm of 1950.

After the sale of the farm he held various jobs, including at Pioneer Plastics, and H.E. Sargent, during the rebuilding of Route 4 from East Auburn to Turner. He worked for the state of Maine as a USDA Inspector at various poultry plants within the area. He also worked for the Auburn School Department where he retired in 1989.

After his retirement he was instrumental in helping his grandson establish his excavation business, T.R.H. & Sons. He was an active member in the community. He was a faithful member of the Turner Village Church, a former member of the L/A Milk Producers Association, and had served several terms as master of the East Auburn Grange. He also served three terms as president of the East Auburn Men’s Club. Most of all in his own words, “he was a farmer.”

He is survived by his sisters, Julia Oakes and Margaret Berry, both of Auburn; a brother, Jim of Supply, N.C.; daughter Roseann and her husband, Bob Harlow, of North Turner; grandson Todd Harlow and his wife, Rhonda, their children, Danielle, Ryan and Nathan; granddaughter Tracie Balfour and her husband, Rob, their children, Ashley, Lindsey and Zachary; several nieces, nephews, cousins and countless others he touched throughout his life.

He was predeceased by wife Elizabeth in 2004; and a brother Austin in 1990.

Special thanks to Lois and Deanna, and Androscoggin Home Health & Hospice.