Blaney, Richard Edward
FITCHBURG-Richard Edward Blaney, age 75, of Fitchburg, passed away peacefully at home on Monday , Feb. 6, 2012, after an 18 month struggle with complications following a massive stroke. A native of Fitchburg, Richard was born on April 11, 1936, the son of Edwin and Elsie (Wall) Blaney. Richard graduated from UW-Madison in 1959 with a BS degree in Agronomy and was awarded letters in Track and Cross Country. He served in the National Guard, 13th Evac Hospital Unit from 1959 to 1965. Richard received the Outstanding Young Farmer Award in 1968. Most of his career was spent producing hybrid seed corn. Richard was President and General Manager of Blaney Farms, Inc., 1964 to 1981, and President of Richard Blaney Seeds, Inc., 1985 to 1993, and served on the Board of Directors of MG&E for 34 years. He was active in promoting the Rosary, Eucharistic Adoration, teaching the Catholic faith and apologetics, and was instrumental in founding and fostering Perpetual Adoration at his parish church, Holy Redeemer, in Madison. Richard was a Knight in the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem, and member of Knights of Divine Mercy. In addition to various religious pursuits, he was interested in sports and history, and served as a board member and president of the Fitchburg Historical Society. Richard is survived by his wife of 47 years, Marjorie;
children, Jim (Katie) of Ann Arbor, Mich., Brian (Judy) of Burlington, Ky., Diane (Tonu) Tobias of Fitchburg, Michael of Verona, and Paul (Anna) of Fitchburg; grandchildren, John, Monica, Sharon and Peter Blaney, Richard and Erin Blaney, Andrus, Markus, Joseph, Elisabeth, Thomas, Kathrine, Aleks and Margaret Tobias, and a 16th grandchild, expected next month; step-mother, Isabella Dietrich of Madison; and two sisters, Carol (Al) Kais of Biloxi, Miss., and Betty (Jim) Guy of Cottage Grove. He was preceded in death by his parents; and a granddaughter, Mary Kate Blaney. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at HOLY REDEEMER CATHOLIC CHURCH, 120 W. Johnson Street, Madison, at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 10, 2012, with Monsignor Kevin Holmes presiding. Burial will be at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be at GUNDERSON FITCHBURG FUNERAL HOME, 2950 Chapel Valley Rd., Fitchburg, from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m., with Rosary and the Divine Mercy Chaplain at 7:00 p.m., on Thursday, Feb. 9, 2012, and also at the church from 9 a.m. until the time of Mass on Friday. Memorials may be made to Holy Redeemer Adoration Chapel, 120 W. Johnson St., Madison, WI 53703. The family would like to give special thanks to St. Mary’s Hospital, Rest Haven, Home Health United, Agrace HospiceCare and all of Richard’s caregivers who helped at home: Debra, Mark, Paul, Abraham, Keith, and Vern, and to all those who have helped in any way with their prayers. We could not have done it without your help. You were all there when we needed you the most.