The Rotary Club of Watertown has announced that Ronald M. Blanchard has been chosen as this year‘s recipient of the Alexander L Alves Award. Ron will be honored at the 30th annual Alexander Alves Award Dinner on Tuesday, May 12th, 6:00 PM at the Grand Oak Villa 550 Sylvan Lake Rd., Oakville. Tickets for this event are available for a fee per person at the Watertown Parks and Recreation Department, 61 Echo Lake Rd. Watertown, and through the Watertown Rotary Club by contacting Sandy Broden, 203-910-7001, sjbroden@gmail.com. Alexander Alves was respected by many as an outstanding humanitarian, working behind the scenes assisting individuals and groups in need. He raised his family, built his business and serve this community for more than 60 years. The purpose of this award is to memorialize Mr. Alves contributions to the community by honoring a person who embodies the qualities of outstanding achievement, volunteerism, and service. Award recipient Ron Blanchard grew up in Prospect, attending local schools and Croft High School in Waterbury before enlisting in the United States Marine Corps. He served four years, including two in Japan, as Military Police, then in Aircraft Fire Fighting and Rescue. After being Honorably discharged he returned to Connecticut and became employed with the Watertown Police Department. While working at the Department he met, and later married, his wife of 56 years, Cindy Daveluy. Within the next five years Ron and Cindy became parents to Danielle and Nicole, two beautiful daughters they are very proud of. Ron was promoted early on in the Police Department to Detective and served the Water-Oak Community in that capacity until being appointed Detective Sergeant, supervising the Detective Division for another 14 years before retiring in 1997. During that time Ron received a degree with Honors in Criminal Justice and also served as a part time instructor at the Municipal Police Academy for over five years in the field of Search and Seizure and Laws of Arrest. During his tenure at Watertown PD, he co-founded Water-Oak Crimestoppers, Inc., (a non-profit which provides a ‘tip line’ while remaining anonymous) and 30 years later still serves on its Board of Directors. Ron presented at the Rotary Club in 1995 asking for support & financial help with starting Crimestoppers…he walked away with “not only support, but, Rotary members such as Sue Atkins and Don Stepanek as Board members, truly movers and shakers in the Water-Oak Community! ”In 1983 Ron was sponsored into the Watertown Lions Club by Bernie Beauchamp, then Principal at Baldwin School. During his 43 years as a Watertown Lion Ron served as a 100%President, chairman of many projects and committees, and has been a three-time Lion of the Year. Ron is proud to have been on the original Project Graduation committee and still offers encouragement to various groups to donate to that worthy cause, “Helping our kiddos that are graduating High School to enjoy festivities with their peers in a safe and fun event”. The Lions Club voted Ron as a Life Member in 2003.Ron was a member of the Watertown Park & Rec Commission, serving with the guidance of Don Stepanek, Parks Director. He also served on the Watertown Police Commission, becoming Chairman in 2001. A member of the Elks Club, Ron served as Trustee and is presently a Life Member of 43 years. As Ron states— like Crimestoppers. “I had a great local Board of Directors and that is why we were successful and long-lasting”. A talented photographer, he has exhibited his work and been awarded numerous ribbons for his wildlife and nature photography. With Ron’s love for nature and wildlife he was certified by DEEP as a Master Wildlife Conservationist and CT Audubon as a Master Naturalist. He has volunteered 9 seasons as an “Eagle Interpreter” at the Shepaug Eagle Viewing. As a member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary, Ron served for 10 years patrolling the waterways under Homeland Security and also had great fun participating in many “sea turtle releases” thru the Department of Natural Resources. Moving back to Connecticut in 2016 gave Ron the opportunity to re-engage with the Watertown Lions Club and he serves in several capacities, including as Publicity Director and Board member, while helping at projects and fundraisers to serve those in need in the Water-Oak Community. As Ron states, “I’ve been truly blessed to have a wonderful “blood” family and also my extended family of the Water-Oak Community that has supported me and the groups I’ve been associated with for so many years, and to have the opportunities to help those in need is pretty special! ” During any ‘spare time’ Ron and Cindy socialize with family, attend the sporting events of their grandchildren Pia & Jake, ride their three wheeled Harley with friends as well as play with their fur baby, Adeline, The ShihTzu.
