Obituary of Bernard R. Blais, MD

Bernard Raymond Blais, MD of Clifton Park, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family and friends on Saturday, December 23, 2017 .

A respected Ophthalmologist and decorated, 30-year military veteran, Dr. Blais was born in Colchester Vermont – son of the late Frederick and Marguerite Duffany Blais and beloved husband of the late Claire A. McCarthy Blais. He attended both St. Michael’s College and University of Vermont Medical School and received numerous honors throughout his Navy career – including the Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Unit Commendation, National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star (Vietnam Conflict) National Defense Medal and the Meritorious Service Medal.

Dr. Blais specialized in both ophthalmology and occupational medicine, and led two ophthalmology departments as Chairman – Naval Hospital Philadelphia and Naval Medical Center of Bethesda, Maryland. Later in his distinguished career, he served as Force Medical Officer of the Military Sealift Command (Corporate Medical Director) and head of the Surface/Sealift Operational Division the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, US Navy.

After a distinguished military career, Dr. Blais honorably acted as Regional Medical Director for Knolls Atomic Plant Laboratory (KAPL) in Schenectady, NY. He was also President of Blais Consulting – a noted firm specializing in Occupational Ophthalmology, for which he was awarded the ACOEM Achievement Award in 2008. Dr. Blais was widely noted across the industry for his well-received book, “Color Vision in the Occupational Setting: Analysis and Testing” – a broad-based manual highlighting the topic of color vision from the occupational and environmental medicine point-of-view.

In his personal life, Dr. Blais had a passion for music (especially opera), and regularly volunteered at both Proctor’s and the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC). More than anything else, he was a man dedicated to family – always encouraging each to achieve their goals and dreams.

Loving husband of Jean D. Messier Coletti-Blais of Clifton Park, Dr. Blais was also devoted father of Stephanie A. McMahon of Littleton, NH and Kristine B. Miller (fiancé Michel Alix) of Queensbury, NY, stepfather of David Coletti and Debra Campbell (Rick) of Montpellier, VT, brother of Robert (Camille) Blais of Essex Junction, VT and the late Federick Blais – who is survived by his wife, Barbara Blais of Florida. Dr. Blais was also a much loved and cherished grandfather of James Francis McMahon, III and Joseph Edward McMahon (Christina) of Littleton, NH, Ashley Elizabeth Miller and Celina Winchip of Queensbury, great-grandfather to Sawyer, Cameron, Janelle and Quintin (father, Joseph); Natalie, Nicholas, William and Andrew  (grandmother, Jean); and several much-loved nieces and nephews.

Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, December 29, 2017 at 9:30 am at St. Edward the Confessor Church at 569 Clifton Park Center Road in Clifton Park. Relatives and friends are invited to celebrate Dr. Blais’ life and may call at the Gordon C. Emerick Funeral Home – 1550 RT-9 in Clifton Park on Thursday, December 28 , 2017, from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Internment with full military honors will be held in the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery in Schuylerville.

The entire Blais family wishes to express their most sincere appreciation to the staff of C1 at Ellis and to Community Hospice. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Community Hospice of Schenectady, 1270 Belmont Avenue Schenectady, New York 12308, in memory of Bernard R. Blais, MD.