Alvin J. Blasco

Alvin J. Blasco, 92, of Streator passed away Friday, July 27, 2018 at his residence in Streator. Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 31 at St. Michael the Archangel Church, Streator. Rev. Fr. Ryan Mattingly will officiate.
Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. Monday, July 30 at the Solon-Telford Funeral Home, Streator. Fourth Degree members of the Streator Assembly 2109 of the Knights of Columbus honor guard will be present during the visitation.
Burial will be in St. Stephen’s Cemetery, Streator. 3rd Degree members of the Knights of Columbus Council # 790 will serve as honorary pallbearers. Full military rites will be accorded by members of the Leslie G. Woods American Legion Post 217 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1492.
Born April 20, 1926 in Streator, he was the son of Adam and Matilda (Klein) Blasco. While working as a bank teller at Union National Bank, Streator, in 1959, he caught the eye of Rita Ann Fedor, also a teller, and they married on September 30, 1961. He is survived by his wife and children: Carolyn, David (Denny Eaton), Ellen (Denny Vogel), and Brian. He is also survived by three grandchildren; three nieces and their spouses, one nephew and his spouse, and several great and great-great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Elmer A. Blasco; and a sister, Norma, in infancy.
A graduate of Greely Grade School, he was a 1944 graduate of Streator High School and attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He was a graduate of the University of Wisconsin at Madison School of Banking.
On July 26, 1944 he was drafted into the U.S. Air Force and was stationed in Munich, Germany for two years during WWII and in Tokyo, Japan from 1951-52.
He was a member of the former St. Stephen’s Church, Streator, and more recently of St. Michael the Archangel Church. In 1955 he became active with the Knights of Columbus 3rd Degree and 4th Degree and later served as Grand Knight and Comptroller. In 2013, he was recognized by the Peoria Diocese Chapter of the Knights of Columbus for his service.
As a young man, he was employed at Scharfenberg Brothers clothing store, Streator, and Santa Fe Railroad. In 1953, he accepted a job with Union National Bank and was employed there until 1991. He served as Chairman of the Illinois Bankers Association Marketing Committee, was a member of the American Bankers Association Marketing Division, and President of the LaSalle County Bankers Association.
He joined with others in 1957 in the founding of Engle Lane Theatre and remained active for many years as treasurer, president, and board member. His participation spanned from behind the scenes to one appearance on the stage as a member of a drama quartet in “The Moon is Blue.” In 1994, he received the William C. Schiffbauer Memorial Award for his volunteerism and he was recognized by the American Association of Community Theatre as the recipient of the Robert E. Gard Superior Volunteer Award in 2014.

In 1975, he was a recipient of the Tom Wilson Award from the Streator Area United Way and served as its board president (1967), campaign chairman (1970), allocation committee member (1974-81 and 1994), allocation committee chairman (1982-89), and campaign co-chair (1998).
He served as president of the Streator Association of Commerce and Industry in 1980 where he had previously served as chairman of its commercial division. In addition, he served as the Streator Junior Chamber of Commerce President and as State Vice President (1960-61). He was a member of the Streator Jaycees and the Rotary Club of Streator, in which he served as President from 1981-82, served on the YMCA Board of Directors, and the Illinois Valley Community College Foundation. In 1958, he was a founding member of the Sons and Friends of Erin, Streator. He was a volunteer at St. Mary’s Hospital, Streator, and served a term as the chairman of the Hospital’s Advisory Council.
A loyal supporter of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, he organized annual local fundraising events with visits from members of the University Athletic Association.
His favorite pastime was golf and he celebrated a Hole-in-One on #16 at Twin Creeks Golf Course, Streator, on June 3, 2002.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Michael the Archangel Parish (513 South Shabbona Street, Streator, IL 61364), or Community Players of Streator, Inc., (P.O. Box 883, Streator, IL 61364).

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Visitation

Solon-Telford Funeral Home

Monday July 30th, 2018

4:00pm - 7:00pm

301 S Park St
Streator, IL 61364

Mass of Christian Burial

St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church

Tuesday July 31st, 2018

11:30am

801 Lundy St
Streator, IL 61364

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Alvin J. Blasco, please visit our floral store.