Obituary of M/Sgt Blackburne RET. USAF

Name: John George Blackburne, M/Sgt, USAF, Ret. Date of Death: Saturday, November 29, 2008 Residence: Rome, New York Age: 77 Obituary: John George Blackburne, 77, of N. James St., Rome, passed away on Saturday, November 29, 2008, at Rome Memorial Hospital, following a long illness. He was born on March 30, 1931, in Brooklyn, NY, the son of John George and Margaret Davis Blackburne. He was educated in Ireland schools. On September 28, 1957, he was united in marriage to Razalia "Rose" Paziuk, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. They have resided in Rome for over thirty years. John proudly served his country as a member of the United States Air Force for over twenty-six years, retiring in 1979. He served during the Korean Conflict and Vietnam War. He was a member of St. Paul's Church and the Toccalana Club. He was a member of several Veterans associations including former commander of the Frank J. Steczko Post.. John was an active bowler and enjoyed traveling with his family. Surviving besides his loving wife of fifty-one years, Rose; are a daughter and son-in-law, Razalia Margaret "Margie" and Gary Menghi, of Princeton, NJ; a son and daughter-in-law, John Gary and Robin Blackburne, of Kennesaw, GA; a brother and sister-in-law, John Joseph and Sadie Blackburne, of Ireland; and two granddaughters, Nicole and Ashley. John was predeceased by a brother, Matthew Blackburne. Services: Funeral services will be held on Thursday, December 4, 2008, at 9:45A.M at the Nunn and Harper Funeral Home, Inc., 418 N. George St., Rome, and a Mass of the Christian Burial at 10:30A.M. at St. Paul's Church where the Rev. Robert Kelly will officiate. Interment will take place in Arlington National Cemetery. Family and friends are invited and may call on Wednesday from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at the funeral home. Contributions may be made in John's memory to St. Paul's Church Memorial Fund, 1807 Bedford Ave., Rome, NY, 13440. You may view the obituary and send a message of sympathy at www.nunnandharper.com.