BLADES, Harry Alan

The Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona Sunday, June 06, 2010 Harry Alan Blades passed away suddenly Sunday, May 30, 2010, at home in Prescott Valley. Harry was 88 years old. He was the only son of Harry and Winifred Blades, born in Newark, N.J., on Dec. 8, 1921. Harry relocated to Arizona in the late 1980s, residing at several of Rainbow Acres' ranches, Starlite Cattle Company in Paulden, then Sunburst Farms in Rimrock, Ariz. Harry moved to the Triple T Ranch in Dewey in 1991 with Bill and Donna O'Brien and then with them to Prescott Valley in 1998, where re resided until his death. Harry was a member of the Old Guard of Rutherford, N.J., before moving to Arizona. He was a member of the Bradshaw Mountain Special Olympics bowling and track teams and attended The Heights Church. He worked at Antelope Point Industries and Yavapai Exceptional Industries before retiring about five years ago. A few days a week for the past few years, Harry attended Helping Hands day treatment program in Prescott. Harry was a lover of all God's creatures great and small, of Louis L'Amour western books and a lover of his country. He was an avid fan of Dancing with the Stars and Celtic Women and was a most generous man, always ready to help a friend. He was dearly loved and will be greatly missed until we meet again in the presence of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Harry is survived by his cousins, Rick Holley and Mrs. Jean Holley of Phoenix, Ariz., and Ann Marie Lynch of Rumson, N.J. His local family consisted of long-time caregivers Bill and Donna O'Brien; housemates John, Thor and Mark; and his beloved three-legged cat Eileen. A memorial service will be 1 p.m. Saturday, June 12, 2010, at the Arizona Wakelin Bradshaw Chapel in Prescott Valley with a celebration of Harry's life afterward at the home of the O'Brien's. Memorials in Harry's name should be given to Arizona Special Olympics, Yavapai County. Information provided by survivors.