David James Blanding

David James Blanding, 72, of Bridgeport, died Sunday, April 16, after a brief illness.
Dave was born in Syracuse, the firstborn child of the late William F. and Isabell “Joan’’
Blanding. He grew up in the Bridgeport area and attended Chittenango Central Schools.
Like his father and several of his brothers, Dave found his niche in the building and
construction trades. He was a licensed Master plumber for over 50 years and owned
and operated his own business, Blanding Plumbing. Dave married Eileen McCormick in
1991 and they made their home on Chittenango Creek, in a house Dave built by hand,
with help from his father, brothers and son.
Dave was active in the Bridgeport community and was a communicant of St. Francis of
Assisi Church. He had a big smile, a big personality and a big heart. He loved the
Oneida Lake region and was an avid outdoorsman who planned his calendar around
fishing and hunting season. He enjoyed boating, snowmobiling, gardening, cooking,
baking and hosting annual pig roasts. He looked forward to going off-the-grid each
summer and spending time with his family at The Cleveland Lake Club in the
Adirondacks. Outdoor adventure travel took him further afield. Some of Dave’s favorite
trips included fishing for sailfish and blue marlin in Costa Rica and hunting big game in
Montana, Kansas, Kentucky and in the wilderness of northern Canada, not far from the
Arctic Circle. He and Eileen enjoyed traveling to Europe and the Caribbean. Most of all,
Dave treasured time at home and with his close-knit family.
He is survived by his wife, Eileen; two children, Tara (Thomas) Blanding-Newcomb and
Mark Blanding; two grandchildren, Riley and Shamus Newcomb; six siblings, Daniel
(Bonnie); Dale (Mary Pat); Karen (Jason Mohorter); Donald; Dwayne; William "Billy"
(Tanya); sister-in-law, Susan M. Calvert; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. In
addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brother, Douglas, in 2001.
Calling hours are 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, April 27 at Traub Funeral Home, 7975 Route 31,
Bridgeport. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Friday, April 28 at St. Francis of
Assisi Church, Bridgeport.
Memorial donations may be made to St. Francis of Assisi Church or to the Bridgeport
Food Pantry, 229 W. Yates St., East Syracuse, NY 13057.

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