Alfred C. Blanche, Jr.

Alfred C. Blanche Jr., a longtime resident of Whitehall, NY, passed away peacefully on January 25, 2024 at the VA Hudson Valley Medical Center – Castle Point Campus in Wappingers Falls, NY; at the age of 79. He was born in Worland, Wyoming on May 9, 1944, son of the late Alfred Charles Blanche and Wanda (Greenough) Dodds. 

Alfred proudly served in the United States Navy from March 22, 1966 to January 22, 1968 during the Vietnam Era; as an E-4 / CS3 petty officer third class, photographer and videographer. He received an honorable discharge for his service. 

In the many years following Vietnam, while living in Norfolk, Virginia, Alfred continued to enjoy photography and travelling throughout his beloved USA on his motorcycle. Al always enjoyed helping people and working with his hands. He started “Almar” pottery and gift cards and refurbishing instruments and antiques, and this self-employment permitted him the freedom to keep riding.  

One of his motorcycle trips took him to the east coast of Canada where he met his wife, Marie-Reine. They had one child, Renee, Marie, and parted ways a few years later, as many families did when living with Veterans suffering from undiagnosed and unsupported PTSD.  

He later inherited a farm in Putnam Station, NY, from an uncle. This farm, overlooking Lake Champlain, became his favorite place in the world, next in line after his love for riding through the USA and after Vietnam of course. He also had a green thumb, was a natural at gardening and had a huge heart for animals and rescues, all like his mother. 

Along the way, after being wrongfully incarcerated (and expunged), as many Veterans end up being when undiagnosed and untreated, he studied and became a New York State Defender for many years, and took great joy supporting and defending his fellow Veterans in need, at times when they did not have the means to defend themselves. He was also President of the Vietnam Veterans of America for some time in mid 2000.   

Alfred is survived by his former wife, Marie-Reine (Beaulieu) Jones, daughter Renée Marie Carmine-Jones, his grandchildren, Tony Salvatore and Jessica Sophie Carmine, and his son-in-law, Constantin Carmine; all residing in Vienna, Austria; He is also survived by loyal, family friends Alina Wiszowata and Mirek Wiszowaty, Larry O’Connel, Judy and Bob Hall, Evelyn Onny, MaryLou Pulling, and many others who have crossed his path, touched his life and been a blessing to him over the years. 

A Requiem Mass of Christian Burial will be offered for Alfred on Friday, February 2, 2024 12:00 Noon at the St. Clement’s Roman Catholic Church, 231 Lake Avenue, Saratoga Springs, New York, followed by interment to the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery, 200 Duell Road, Schuylerville, New York. To offer a message of condolence or share a memory, please visit: www.LibbyFuneralHome.com