A.J. "Al" Blanchette, 85, of Bridge City, died Sunday, February 21, 2010, in Bridge City.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, February 23, 2010, at St. Henry Catholic Church in Bridge City. Officiating will be Reverend Steve Leger.

Burial will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens.

Visitation will be from 5:00-9:00 p.m., Monday, at Claybar Funeral Home in Bridge City with a rosary at 7:00 p.m.

Mr. Blanchette was born on March 25, 1924 in Orange. He was the son of Oliver and Edna Boudreaux Blanchette. Mr. Blanchette worked at Firestone for 21 years as a maintenance foreman. His favorite pass time was dancing to cajun music at Larry's French Market.

He is preceded in death by his first wife of 33 years, Frances Lawrence Blanchette, who passed away in 1977; second wife of 20 years, Lorene Goetsell Blanchette; daughter, Sheril Blanchette Moore; and grandson, Jake Porterfield.

He is survived by his daughters and sons-in-law, Pat and L.J. Doucet and Becky and Tracy Andrews all of Bridge City; grandsons and wives, Lance and Deedra Doucet, Loren Doucet, Laine and Misti Doucet, Colby and Heather Doucet, Kyle and Rhiannon Suire, and Kent Suire; granddaughters, Penny Doucet, Carly Andrews, and Kember Andrews; 11 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great grandchildren; sister, Viola Thibodeaux; and brother, Ted Blanchette.

Serving as pallbearers are Brud Suire, Hal Porterfield, Lance Doucet, Loren Doucet, Laine Doucet, Colby Doucet, Kent Suire, and Kyle Suire.

The family would like to give a special thanks to Archie Del Chambers, Mr. Blanchette's care taker of three years as well as others who lovingly attended to his needs. Also, special thanks to nurses and staff of Southeast Texas Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Henry's Building Fund, P.O. Box 427, Bridge City, TX, 77611-0427, or Southeast Texas Hospice, P.O. Box 2385, Orange, TX, 77631-2385.