Alexander "Alex" Norman Edward Blais

On June 9th, with his parents and sisters by his side, twelve-year-old Alexander “Alex” Norman Edward Blais Ascended into the Journey of Everlasting Life, peacefully after his long and courageous battle with brain cancer. Alex was born on March 10, 2006 in Springfield the only son of Wayne A. and Margaret (Atkins) Blais. Alex was raised in the supportive town of East Longmeadow, Massachusetts. Alex was a typical nine-year-old boy who loved sports, especially hockey and football, playing with his friends, reading, and hanging out with family when on January 1, 2016, he was diagnosed with a glioblastoma multiforme brain tumor. Over the next thirty months, Alex faced several surgeries, hospitalizations, needles, procedures, and various medicines with an iron-willed determination and a smile. Alex never complained or asked why; he just woke up each day and fought to make sure he would see another day. Post-diagnosis, Alex fought every day while attending school, hanging out with his friends and family, traveling, and making the most of everyday he had. Alex and his family were fortunate to connect with The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp where they spent several fun and exciting family weekends. Alex also was affiliated with the Springfield College Men’s Lacrosse team through Team Impact. This connection allowed Alex to realize his dream of having an older brother; the whole team were his “brothers from another mother” as he called them. Alex was a student in East Longmeadow schools, which provided an environment that showered him with love, kindness, and compassion. Alex was fortunate to be educated by a wonderful faculty and staff. Alex was also able to create and maintain many great relationships with his fellow students. Alex was an active participant in numerous sports in East Longmeadow and he was especially passionate about ice hockey and football. Alex played defense and goalie for the Wilbraham Twin Meadows hockey organization, playing until the week of diagnosis. Alex also played offensive line for the East Longmeadow Spartans football team. He was very proud to be a Spartan and loved to say “Once a Spartan, Always a Spartan!” Alex had an incredible love of reading books instilled in him at a young age by his Grandma Kathy. Alex also enjoyed drawing, making his own books, playing with his friends and sisters, playing on his iPad and loved most of all being with his family and friends. Alex was sweet, kind, quick with a smile and always thought of others first. Alex always said the sweetest things to people, usually when they were most needed. Alex is survived by everyone who ever loved him: besides his parents, Alex leaves twin sisters, Grace and Natalie at home; paternal grandparents, David and Rita Blais Bowker of Springfield; maternal grandfather David Atkins of New Orleans; his uncles, Derek Blais (Deborah), David Atkins (Megan) , Craig Blais (fiancee Christine), Christopher Atkins, Stephen Woodry (Kathleen); his aunts, Kathleen Woodry, Megan Atkins, Melanie Blais, Deborah Blais; cousins, Stephen Woodry, Lily Blais, Christopher Woodry, Laura Woodry, Jackson Blais, Beatrice Atkins, Nora Blais; and all his friends. Alex was predeceased by his paternal grandfather, Norman Blais, and maternal grandmother, Kathleen Atkins. Alex’s family would like to thank the doctors, nurses and staff at Connecticut Children’s Medical Center and Hartford Hospital Radiation Department. A very special thank you to the oncology and neurosurgery departments and Alex’s doctors Eileen Gillan, Jonathan Martin and Jeanne Walczak his oncology nurse. Funeral services will be held on Friday (June 15th, 2018) 8:30AM from Forastiere Smith Family Funeral Home, 220 North Main St., East Longmeadow with a Liturgy of Christian Burial celebrated at 10:00AM in St. Michael’s Church, 128 Maple Street, East Longmeadow. Alex will be laid to rest in the Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 421 Tinkham Road, Springfield. Calling hours for Alex are from 4:00PM -8:00PM on Thursday (June 14, 2018) in the funeral home. Memorial donations to assist Alex’s sisters, Grace and Natalie Blais’ future college fund at Peoples Bank 201 North Main Street East Longmeadow, Ma. 01028.