MARTIN FREDERICK BLESKEY

Martin Frederick Bleskey
Dec. 7, 1929 - Feb. 7, 2017
Resident of Concord

Martin Frederick Bleskey was born December 7, 1929 in the town of Lanark in Portage County, Wisconsin; second of six children born to August and Alice (Hebblewhite) Bleskey. Martin spent his childhood on a farm. At the age of 17, he joined the United States Marine Corps. He always said he grew up in the Marine Corps. Martin married Janith Ernestine Schultz in 1951 and they shared 57 years together until Jan's death in 2008. They had travelled to different duty stations in Wisconsin, Virginia, Illinois and California. During his tour of duty in Vietnam, Martin served as the founding Sergeant Major of the only helicopter squadron ever formed during combat—HML-167. It was during that period of service in Vietnam that he received a Purple Heart.
Following his career of 24 ½ years in the Marine Corps, Martin began his second career of service to his country with the Veterans Administration assisting many veterans at his duty stations in Southern California, Montana and the San Francisco Bay area in Northern California. Martin and Jan settled down in Concord, California in 1981 and he retired from the VA in 1992.
Martin was a devoted husband, family man, and friend. He was also a devout Catholic who, with Jan, served their church community of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Concord for many years. Martin was a proud member of the Knights of Columbus; climbing to the position of Grand Knight. He also served as the Commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, John F. Baldwin Chapter 383 of Concord. Martin loved to garden and maintained beautiful flowers and various vegetables to enjoy. He also loved to go fishing, especially with his youngest son Scott and making annual camping/fishing trips to Lake Siskiyou with Scott's family. He loved Oakland A's baseball and San Francisco 49er's football. Martin's love of the 49er's led to the formation of the Annual Bleskey 49er's Tailgate. All family members who could attend would take Martin to Candlestick Park to tailgate and watch a game. He was able to attend one game at the new Levi Stadium in Santa Clara in 2014.
Martin is survived by his six children, eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren: Deborah Benson (Scott) of Beaumont, CA; Daniel Bleskey of Moorpark, CA; Dawn Bleskey of Santa Ana, CA; Patrick Bleskey (Carol) of Syracuse, Utah; Scott Bleskey (Tiffany) of Oakley, CA ; and Diana Bleskey of Eastvale, CA and grandchildren Jason Abraham, Michael Abraham, Jeffrey Abraham and Jolie Pontius (Phillip), Christopher Benson (Alissha), Gregory Benson (Danielle), Johnathon Bleskey and Catherine Bleskey and great-grandchildren Chloe, Lucas, Caleb, Gavin and Baby Pontius due in August of this year. He is pre-deceased by his wife of 57 years Janith Bleskey, his parents August and Alice, and his brother James Bleskey as well as James' wife Charlotte.
Visitation and a rosary vigil will be held Monday, February 13, 2017 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the St. Cecilia Chapel at the Queen of Heaven Cemetery, 1965 Reliez Valley Road, Lafayette, CA. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, on Tuesday February 14, 2017 at 11:00 a.m., 860 Oak Grove Road, Concord, CA 94518. Graveside service with Military Honors will follow at Queen of Heaven Cemetery with a reception immediately following at the hall in the St. Cecilia Chapel at the cemetery location.
Sincere thanks is extended by the Bleskey Family to all of the doctors, nurses, technicians and caretakers who attended to Martin's numerous medical needs over the years.
For those wishing to do so, flowers can be sent to the Queen of Heaven Cemetery/St. Cecilia Chapel or donations can be made in Martin's name to a charity of your choice .