Blase C. Grace
July 31, 1951 – Feb. 18, 2014

February 20, 2014
The Altoona Mirror

Blase C. Grace, 62, Altoona, died Tuesday at UPMC Altoona after a courageous battle with cancer.

He was born in Altoona, son of the late John Grace and June (Betar) Messner. He married Becki Datris in 1986 in Winchester, Va.

Surviving are his wife; a son, Damian of Las Vegas, Nev.; a stepdaughter, Allison Ritchey and husband, Mark, of Altoona; two grandchildren: Ryan Grace of Colorado Springs, Colo., and Meggie Ritchey of Altoona; a sister, Bonnie Miller of Lancaster; and four brothers: Bruce Grace of Lancaster, Perry Messner of Birmingham, Ala., Corky Messner of Denver, Colo., and Eric Grace of Atlantic City, N.J.

He is also survived by his mother-in-law, Sue Barnard of Altoona; and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Blase was a graduate of Altoona Area High School. He had worked for the City of Altoona as a maintenance supervisor for the Highway Department with 30 years of service and currently was working at Curry Supply Co. in Curryville.

He was a member of First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Altoona. He enjoyed hunting, golfing and spending time with his family, especially his granddaughter, Meggie, who was the light of his life.

At Blase's request, there will be no visitation or public service. A celebration of his life will be held at the convenience of the family.

The family requests that contributions in memory of Blase be made to the Greg and Cathy Griffith Family Foundation, P.O. Box 28, Hollidaysburg, PA 16648, for pancreatic cancer research.

Arrangements are by The Stevens Mortuary Inc., 1421 Eighth Ave., Altoona.

www.stevensfamilyfuneralhomes.com