Capt. Raleigh Blanchard ’81

FREEPORT – Captain Raleigh Thomas “Tom” Blanchard III, 59, of The Wood-lands, Texas, and Freeport, Maine, passed away Friday, Dec. 22, 2017, after a 30-year battle with lymphoma.
Tom was born in Poca-tello, Idaho, Nov. 16, 1958, to Bennie (Taylor) Blanchard and Raleigh T. Blanchard Jr. He spent the majority of his life in coastal Maine. He graduated from York High School in 1977 and continued on to Maine Maritime Academy as a member of the Class of 1981. Tom married Lisa Zamarchi on January 7, 1984; they were married for 34 wonderful years.
Captain Tom was a well-respected and extraordinary mentor, not only in his professional career, but also to friends and family throughout everyday life. He guided us all by his selflessness and strove to always help others. His love of the ocean and of his friends and family translated into showing us how to live life to its fullest.
His hobbies included boating, classic cars, biking and tennis. Tom was also actively involved in the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and the Maine Maritime Alumni Association.
Tom was predeceased by his father, Raleigh Thomas Blanchard Jr. He is survived by his wife, Lisa Blanchard; son, Noah Blanchard, and his wife Megan; daughter, Laura Blanchard, and her husband David East; mother, Bennie Blanchard; and brother, Benjamin Blanchard, and his wife Cindy.