HERKIMER – Mr. Henry E. “Gene” Blaise, age 88, of N. Washington St., Herkimer, passed away peacefully on Saturday morning, April 23, 2016, at Valley Health Services in Herkimer, with his loving family by his bedside. Born on March 24, 1928, in Keeseville, NY, Gene was the son of the late Frank C. and Florence (Waite) Blaise. He was raised and educated in Keeseville and attended local schools. A proud veteran of the United States Army, Gene served as a parachute infantryman in the 325th Glider Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne division from 1946-1947. Upon his return from service, he was married to the former Ruth E. Riel on September 3, 1949 at the First Methodist Church in Herkimer. The couple shared in a loving and devoted union of 66 years, until Ruth’s recent passing on December 26, 2015. Gene was a hardworking man who spent his life providing for his wife and children. He was self-employed as the owner and operator of Gene Blaise Trucking. Subsequently, he held a position as an assembler at Chicago Pneumatic for twenty-four years until his retirement in 1987. Later in life, Gene served as a civilian employee of the New York State Police, for six years, until his retirement in 2010. In his spare time, Gene enjoyed woodworking, fishing, playing cards, and, mostly, any time that he could spend with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was a member of the Herkimer American Legion and a parishioner of the First Methodist Church. As a loving father, grandfather and great-grandfather, Gene will be dearly missed by those he leaves behind. He is survived by his children, Robin Stasilli, of Mohawk, Marlee Mason, and her husband, Keith, of Pawlet, VT, and Timothy Blaise, and his wife, Gerry, of Ilion; eight grandchildren, Nicholas Stasilli, and his fiancée, Alison, Mary Stasilli, Jennifer (Stasilli) Sacco, and husband, Mike, Katherine Edwards, and her husband, Brian, Luke Mihevc, and his wife, Jessica, Liza Mason, and Timothy and Alexander Blaise; seven great-grandchildren, Alexis, Michael, Addy, Jackson and Emilia, and Andrew and Nicky; his sister-in-law, Ruth Riel, of Little Falls; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by five brothers, Francis, James, George, Richard and Donald Blaise; and three sisters, Marjorie Boulia, Florence Lozo and Elizabeth Calhoun. A Celebration of Life service will be held at 6:00 PM on Tuesday, April 26, 2016, at the Applegate-Day & Enea Family Funeral Home’s newly reopened and renovated home at 102 West St., Ilion. Interment will take place in Oak Hill Cemetery, Herkimer, where Gene will be laid to rest beside his wife. Calling hours will be held on Tuesday, April 26, 2016, from 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM, prior to the funeral home service at 102 West St., Ilion. Anyone wishing to share a memory of Gene, or add to his online memorial, may go to www.applegateandday.com. In lieu of flowers, as an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, PO Box 417005, Boston, MA 02241-7005, or the Fort Herkimer Church, c/o Ken Palmer, 19 Walnut St., Mohawk, NY 13407. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. The Blaise family has entrusted Gene’s service arrangements and supervision to their long time family Funeral Director, Don Applegate and Funeral Director, Martin L. Ciaccia.