Michael Joseph Blossey

michael blossey

Michael J. Blossey, December 11, 1918 – September 7, 2020

Michael J. Blossey, 101, a Veteran of World War II, passed away peacefully in hospice care September 7, 2020 at home in Anaheim Hills, California. He was a former resident of Hawthorne, California, and Palos Verdes Estates, California.

He was born in Erie, Pennsylvania, and grew up there prior to enlisting in the Army in December 1941. He attended East High School in Erie, and completed his education in California. He was a long time aerospace employee of Garrett Air Research Corporation in California, where he retired in January 1987.

At the age of 101, Michael lived a good life. He had many friends over the years, many who passed long before him. He was kind to everyone, he loved to help people. If you needed help a hundred miles away, he would go the distance for you! He was a great golfer, carrying a 2 handicap in his heyday. God Speed Michael, you needn’t worry, there are no bogies in heaven!

Michael served in the Army Air Corp, 8th Air Force in World War II, enlisting immediately following the Japanese raid on Pearl Harbor. He was a crewman-radio operator and gunner on a B-17 Bomber. His service included training missions at a number of bases in the United States; and combat, rescue and humanitarian aid in the European-African Middle Eastern Campaign. Thank you for your Service Michael!

He was preceded in death by a sister Annabel Buckel, and brothers William T. Blossey and Stephen G. Blossey. Survivors include Brother Robert Meehan and spouse E. Adrienne Meehan of Anaheim Hills, California; niece Deirdre Kerr and spouse Charles Richard Kerr, of Yorba Linda, California; and nephew Shaun Meehan of Orange, California. Survivors also include niece Roberta Barilla of Erie, Pennsylvania; Roberta’s daughter Danielle Clark and spouse Jerry Clark of Erie Pennsylvania; Roberta’s daughter Denise Sherman and spouse Mark Sherman of San Luis Obispo, California; Roberta’s son, Thomas Barilla of Erie, Pennsylvania; niece Nadine Neira and spouse Joseph Neira of Parma, Ohio; and Nadine’s daughters Yvette and Yvonne and their spouses; nephew David Buckel and spouse Marilyn Buckel of Naples, Florida; nephew Dennis Buckel of Redmond, Washington; and many great nieces and great nephews in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Florida.

Michael’s remains will be interred in Riverside National Cemetery with his brother Stephen, also a WW II veteran of the Marine Corp. Funeral arrangements are by Lighthouse Memorials and Receptions, Torrance, CA.

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  1. Sincerest Condolences from all of the volunteers at the 493rd BG Museum, Debach, England.
    Michael flew with the 493rd BG as Radio Operator on the Paul Kahler crew

    Rest in Peace

  2. My deepest sympathy to Michael’s family. Although we never me, I feel as if I knew him because his niece Danielle Clark spoke highly of “Uncle Mike.” He certainly lived a long and active life. May he rest in peace.
    Sincerely,
    Judy Emling

  3. candle 4Mike was a Great Friend with Impeccable Character. Although there was a 36 year difference in our age we both had similar world views.
    From time to time we would have a different opinion on a subject and after a heated discussion we would agree that we were both correct. I will miss those times.
    Mike was a giver of his time for almost anything, especially golf instruction.
    Even in his last months he always had a positive attitude. He even told me several weeks ago he would be looking to purchase a car preferably a Subaru. He never gave up on life. I will miss him Dearly.

  4. Uncle Michael, I am so pleased to have been with you in California just a few years ago, albeit for too short of a time. I miss our phone calls. You were always encouraging and positive. Your memory was truly sharp and amazing. I still see you as a young man in your Army uniform in Erie. I know you will be in good company at the right hand of God, along with my wife, Rosemary and brother-in-law Ted. Enjoy your new life(forever) and friends. Till we meet again.
    Love,
    Dennis

  5. candle 4Michael was a great friend of mine, we played many rounds of golf together and had numerous conversions ,I will think about him everyday with fond memories WE LOST A HERO

  6. candle 7I would like to add to my last statement , Michael was a peoples person he was so kind to all people he had a kind heart ,he stayed active most of his life his personality & patience was SUPERIOR ! Michael was blessed he was a walking miracle

  7. If Michael is the cousin of John Blossey of Erie PA then Maryland, Michael was wonderfully kind to my mother Rose Jones who was John’s companion of 18 years. He would call her almost weekly and their conversations always lifted her spirits. She often commented on his genuine kindness, optimism and humor.

  8. My Dad, Bernie Guthrie (passed in 2009) was a childhood friend of Mike . . . Uncle Mike (my M is for Michael) . . . recall him giving me & my brother, Chris haircuts, remember his violin, used his old golf clubs for a while . . . adios Mike!!

  9. candle 2A SAD FAREWELL TO MICHAEL.. In the name of his cousin Mary Ann ( Magda) Blossey Diehl, I am writing to let you know I just found out and let Mary Ann Blossey know, as she is my dearest friend from the time she came over here from CzechSlovakia.. in 1950.. Her Brothers John & Nicholas (Mickey Jr) both had already passed.. At 86 she is still living.. We were just talking about Michael, this past week when I was visiting with her.. Wondering how he was or what happened to him, as we knew he had been in Calif. with Steve. I too had also met Michael a few times.. We all ate at Hectors once years ago.. RIP Michael, Mary Ann, said she loved you. Rochelle


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