Harvey J. Blanchard Sr.

Published 12:00 am Thursday, December 7, 2023

A Mass of Christian burial will be conducted for Harvey J. Blanchard Sr., 80, at 11 a.m. on Friday, December 8, 2023, at St. Nicholas Catholic Church in Lydia with Father Kasey Dugas as celebrant. Entombment will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery in New Iberia.

Visitation will be held from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Thursday, December 7, 2023 and resume at 8 a.m. until the time of the service on Friday, December 8, 2023. A Rosary will be prayed at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday evening in the funeral home.

In the early morning of December 5, 2023, Harvey James Blanchard Sr. passed away peacefully in his home beside his devoted wife Hilda. Harvey was born in New Iberia on May 14, 1943, as the first of four children. He married the love of his life, Hilda Marie Freyou on June 15, 1963.

He began his sugarcane farming career as a newlywed at the young age of 20. He started as an overseer at Roane Planting Co. and then became a field manager at M.A. Patout. By 1972 Harvey took the leap and started his own farm, purchasing three tractors at $500 a piece, a loader and 90 acres of land. Harvey and Hilda soon built their forever home where they raised three sons. With the help of sons Harvey, Lane and Brant, who share the love of his trade, Blanchard Brothers, Inc. eventually expanded to a large operation of over 3,000 acres. Harvey acquired many farming accolades, some including Master Sugar Cane Farmer of St. Mary Parish, Louisiana High Sugar Producer and Sugarcane Conservationist of the Year. His soul will forever grace the acres of farmland he built his life upon.

Harvey and Hilda enjoyed traveling, making their way through the U.S. and Nova Scotia. Harvey sparked a love for wooden boats and had one custom built, with the encouragement of his wife Hilda.

Harvey was well known as a feisty, authentic family and business man. He cherished his relationship with his best friend through life, Ernest Crochet, as well as many other dear friends. His godchildren Joel Songne and Tiffany Wattigny played an important part in his life. Harvey and Hilda looked to Cyndi Eldridge and Todd Romero as their own children, always there when they needed them.

While his body grew weak, his mind and passion for the sugarcane industry and for his family stayed strong. He made daily scheduled phone calls to his family, checking on the state of the crop and inquiring about daily operations. The highlight of his days were pickup truck field trips, checking the crops with his friends and family while enjoying a hot Lejeune’s french bread.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years Hilda Freyou Blanchard of New Iberia; three sons, Harvey J. Blanchard Jr. and his wife Monite of New Iberia, Lane A. Blanchard and his wife Kristie of Loreauville and Brant D. Blanchard and his wife Gina of New Iberia; a brother Harold Blanchard and wife Becky; a sister-in-law Lois Blanchard; seven grandchildren, Chelsi Jackson and her husband Nathaniel, Zachary Blanchard and his wife Jessica, Brennon Blanchard, Taylor Blanchard and his wife Catherine, Laurel Blanchard, Beau Blanchard and Garett Blanchard; and five great-grandchildren, Wesley Lane Blanchard, Harper Anne Blanchard, Marie Kate Blanchard, Thomas Harvey Jackson and Baker Lane Blanchard.

He was preceded in death by his parents Freddie and Julia Blanchard; one sister, Rebecca Eldridge and husband Tasey Eldridge; and one brother, Howard Blanchard.

Serving during the Mass will be Laurel Blanchard, Wesley Blanchard, Harper Blanchard and Marie Blanchard as gift bearers. Catherine Blanchard and Jessica Blanchard will serve as the readers.

Serving as pallbearers will be Harvey Blanchard Jr., Lane Blanchard, Brant Blanchard, Zachary Blanchard, Brennon Blanchard, Taylor Blanchard, Beau Blanchard, Garett Blanchard and Todd Romero.

Honorary pallbearers will be Harold Blanchard, Andrew Gonsoulin, Ernest Crochet, Ronnie Dartez, Pete Landry, Henry Martin, Berwick “Buck” LeJeune Jr. and George Braaksma.

The family would like to thank Doctors Falterman, Sigue and Nicole Sistrunk for the years of dedicated care to Harvey. Special thanks to the staff of AMG Specialty Hospital, DCI Bayou Teche Dialysis Center and Garden View of New Iberia.

The family would like to thank the staff members of Audubon Hospice for the love and care they expressed to their family during this difficult time. Special thanks to Fr. Casey Dugas for the sacraments, prayers and many visits with Harvey.

Family and friends may sign the guest register book and/or send condolences at www.davidfuneralhome.org.

David Funeral Home of New Iberia, 1101 Trotter St., 337-369-6336, is in charge of the arrangements.