Born in 1951, Errol Morton Blanchard, was the son of OC Blanchard, JR and Jean Morton Blanchard, youngest brother of Charlie and Susan. He grew up working in the family business, B&R Wholesale, and attended Wallace-Rose Hill high school where he played football. His family would frequently spend time at Topsail Beach, where OC passed on his love of boating to Morton.
Growing up in Wallace he met the love his life, Patty, who he was married to for 52 years. He also met lifelong friend David Wells who even though lives in California, they remained very close friends.
After high school Morton attended Holden Tech to learn the refrigeration trade. He quickly realized his talent for refrigeration and it would become his career. After moving back to Rose Hill, he founded Blanchard Refrigeration Contractors, Inc in 1976 and would go on to work with some of the biggest brands in grocery stores. Morton was widely known and respected in the refrigeration industry and was proud to serve a term on the North Carolina Refrigeration Board.
He and Patty had two sons, Joseph (Joe) and Benjamin (Ben). Joe now operates Blanchard Refrigeration and lives in Wallace with his wife Lindsey and three daughters Emma, Britton, and Taylor. Ben works with trade software company ServiceTitan, and lives in Raleigh with his wife Lauren and daughter Elizabeth (Eliza).
While in Rose Hill Morton was an active member of Rose Hill United Methodist church. You could find him singing in the choir, working on the church bells, keeping the oil fired furnace tuned up, and always checking on the building after a storm. He also served the Town Of Rose Hill as a town commissioner and a member of the chamber of commerce.
After retiring from the refrigeration business, Morton moved to Topsail Beach full-time. He served over 10 years as a town commissioner and a short term as Mayor. He loved summers at Topsail as friends and family would come to visit and he could entertain and show them the best of Topsail Island.
Morton will be deeply missed by his family and friends. His celebration of life will be 2pm Saturday, March 22, at the Historic Assembly Building on Topsail Island. Until we meet again - ARRGGH!!