Antonio Wil Blanchard's Obituary
Antonio “Tony” Wil Blanchard was the second child born to the union of Willie C. Blanchard and Violet A. Blanchard. He entered this life on December 31, 1971, exactly one year after his older sister, Michelle. Both having the same birthdate, their birthdays were celebrated together. His father preceded him in death. Antonio attended the Riverview Gardens School District in North County, graduating from Riverview High School in 1991. As a young boy, Tony was a boy scout and enjoyed martial arts and baseball. He had an extraordinary gift as an “artist” who could draw, sketch and design with perfection and continuity. He also did rehab work in homes, covering homes located in areas all across the city. His work included roofing, painting, home remodeling and demolition. His outdoor hobbies were fishing and hunting with his father, stepfather, uncles, and cousins. Antonio was a priceless jewel to his family. He was soft spoken and a deep thinker. He was also a very generous and giving individual, as family and friends can attest to. Tony was a very warm and friendly person, known to his friends as “T-Bone.” To many, he was like a brother. Our Antonio will be missed profoundly by his family, co-workers and supervisors. He leaves to cherish his memory: his mother ~ Violet A. Nelson; stepfather ~ Robert “Big Daddy” Nelson; his sister ~ Michelle (Radford) Beasley; his love ~ Thomasina Heard-Hammond; niece ~ Destiny Beasley; nephews ~ DeAngelo (Jazmine), Orlando and Radford Beasley, III; great nephews; one great niece; uncles; aunts; cousins and a host of friends.
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