Jose Blanco

Jose' R. Blanco of Shelbyville, MI passed away early in the morning of January 5, 2020 at age 76. He was born in 1943 and packed his seven-and-a-half decades of life full of friends, family and more adventures than the world will ever know. His attitude throughout life was loving and joyful. He was straightforward and rarely said anything bad about anyone. His ability to diffuse tension in conversations was legendary, and he kept the nurses and aides in the nursing home where he spent the last year of his life laughing. Between starting and ending his life in Michigan, Jose' traveled extensively, living in Alaska and Germany and visiting numerous countries in Europe and Asia. Outside of Michigan, he spent the most time in Alaska, and still has friends throughout the state from his many visits. After first going up in 1964, he worked throughout the years as a commercial fisherman, a taxi driver, a baggage handler, a tour guide, a homestead caretaker and a volunteer for the reelection campaign of President Obama in 2012. He met his future wife through his brother while studying in Kalamazoo and traveled throughout Europe with her and other friends and family. Wood-fired saunas in Finland, good wine in Spain and working construction on the subway in Berlin, Germany were all part of his time on the Continent. Locally, Jose' helped run Blanco Furniture for many years with his brother. He was involved with local politics - as Township Supervisor - and art - as an early supporter of the Fontana Chamber Arts society - among other hobbies, like napping. His charity work included supporting Habitat for Humanity and the local ambulance service. Jose' loved watching sports, whether it was his sons playing soccer or football on TV (or, once, at the Rose Bowl). He played baseball and football in high school and basketball and soccer later in life. Jose' is survived by his three sons, Sebastian, Lucas and Christopher, as well as three siblings, George, Carmen and Sylvia, and other family members from Puerto Rico. He was preceded in death by his wife, Christine. They were married for 40 years. He graduated from Wayland High School in 1961 and Western Michigan University in 1973. A memorial service will be held in the spring to accommodate his snowbird friends and relatives in snowy areas. It is currently planned for Saturday, May 9th in Wayland, MI.