Alexander J. Blastos

Alexander J. Blastos, 73, resident of Milford, died on January 2, 2014 at Catholic Medical Center in Manchester, NH surrounded by his family. He was born in Lynn, MA on November 4, 1940, a son of James K. and Sophia (Bardis) Blastos. He graduated from Windsor High School, Windsor, VT in 1958 where he played football, basketball, track and was a noted swimming champion. Al received a B.S. degree from Castleton State College, Castleton, VT in 1962. He began his teaching career in one room school house in the State of Vermont through the Ford Foundation while he was attending Castleton State College in his freshman year. He went on to sign his first contract to teach at Rutland, Vermont Junior and Senior High School during his junior year at College. Al earned his Master’s degree in Guidance and Administration in 1965 from Keene State College. He went to Groton, Massachusetts where he became the assistant principal and science/math teacher at the Groton Elementary School. In 1968, he was employed as the Elementary Principal of the Gilford, NH Elementary School. He was the state representative to the National Association of Elementary School Principals and received numerous awards. Al’s career turned to central office work as he became the Assistant Superintendent of Schools for SAU #30. While in the Laconia-Gilford area, he was a member and past president of the Rotary Club and a part time police officer. In 1978 he became the Superintendent of Schools for SAU #41 (Amherst, Hollis and Brookline) and later for SAU #39 Amherst and acting superintendent for SAU #21 Hampton, NH. In 1985 he began his employment with the NH State Department of Education as Curriculum Supervisor of Staff Development and served for more than 20 years as Assistant Administrator. He was past president of the Milford Rotary Club and was a two time recipient of the Paul Harris Fellow award. In addition, he volunteered as a dispatcher for the NH State Police Troop B Barracks. Al’s love of life included his faith, family, friends and the great outdoors brought together by his passion for food. Alex was predeceased by his four siblings, Michael Blastos, Constantine Blastos, Louis Blastos and Kathryn Costes. Family members include his wife of 31 years, Lee Ann (Young) Blastos of Milford; three sons, Alexander J. Blastos of Inverness, FL, Christopher W. Blastos and his wife, Tiffany of Mont Vernon, NH, Nicholas G. Blastos and his wife, Grayson, of Aspen, CO; four grandchildren, Ryan, Joshua, Alexis and Siena; and beloved family include his mother-in-law, Ruth A. Young of Bedford, NH; sisters-in-law, a brother-in-law, many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. Calling hours are on Monday, January 6th from 4:00-8:00 pm in the Smith & Heald Funeral Home, 63 Elm Street, Milford. The Trisagion will be held at 6:00 pm. A Masonic service will be conducted at 7:45 pm. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday at 12:00 noon in the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church, 111 Island Pond Road, Manchester, NH. Burial will follow in Riverside Cemetery, Milford. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the New England Heart Institute, Office of Philanthropy, 100 McGregor Street, Manchester, NH 03103.