Leonard “Lee” Blair, 85, of Franklin passed away January 17, 2017 at UPMC Northwest from an extended illness.

Lee was born March 15, 1931 in Irwin Township, Venango County, he was the son of Loyal C. Blair and Dorothy Cokain Blair.

Lee attended school in Irwin Township School.

Lee grew up on a dairy farm and after his marriage to his high school sweetheart, Mary Montgomery they continued to farm for 40 years. Lee had an egg delivery business.

He also operated Barkeyville Hardware Store and Blair Carpet Cleaning for several years.

Lee was employed at the former Johnston Foundries, Cooper Bessemer, Amalie Refinery, Tower Presbyterian Church and Joy Manufacturing which he retired from in 1993.

Lee was a very active lifelong member of Hickory Grove Church of God in Pearl. Over the years he served as a trustee, elder, deacon, Sunday School Superintendent and also chairperson of Hickory Grove Cemetery. Lee was a charter member of the Barkeyville Borough Council and the former Sandy Lake Star Promenade Western Square Dance Club for over 50 years.

He was a charter member of Retired Old Men Eating Out (ROMEO’s) Bicycle Club, Allegheny Ridge Runners Snowmobile Cub.

Lee and Mary also enjoyed the warmth of Florida at Auburndale and wintered there since 1998.

Loved ones left to cherish Lee’s memory are his wife of 66 years Mary of Franklin, his three daughters and spouses Sandy and Joe McConnell of Wesley, Margie and Dave Baseler of Polk, Sharon and Bill Hawke of Grove City. Six grandsons Scott & Jamie McConnell of Tennessee, Kent and Emily McConnell of New York, Matthew and Lisa Baseler of Franklin ,Timothy and Hazel Baseler of Virginia, Trevor Hawke and Andrea Schuster of Grove City, Logan Hawke of Springdale. He also has 10 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers J. Richard Blair and Elton Blair.

Family will receive friends at the Larry E. McKinley Funeral Home, 109 Emlenton Street, Clintonville on Friday, January 20, 2017 from 4-7.

Funeral services will take place Saturday, January 21, 2017 at 11:00 am with an hour of visitation prior to the service at Hickory Grove Church of God of Pearl, with the Rev. John Pennington officiating.

Friends can email condolences by visiting www.mckinleyfuneralhome.net