Blanchard, O.D., Jeffrey Barton "Doc"

Passed away on March 1, 2026, after a two year battle against lung cancer.

Jeffrey Blanchard was born on February 18, 1947, in Rochester, New York to the late Dr. Murray and Frances Blanchard.  Dr. Blanchard grew up in Rochester where he attended Brighton Public Schools, and received his Doctor of Optometry degree from The Ohio State University in 1970.  Dr. Blanchard joined his father in his optometric practice for a few years, then moved to Fort Lauderdale for a time in the mid-1970's, where he practiced clinical optometry and specialized in the emerging field of low-vision therapy.  He later returned to Rochester to take over his father's optometric practice while also perfecting one of his favorite jobs, raising son Jason and daughter Jill.

Dr. Blanchard cared for patients in Rochester and Spencerport, NY until moving to Tampa Bay in 1993. While in Rochester he served on the Board of the Rochester Optometric Society and the New York State Board for Optometry.  He also was a clinical skills examiner for the North East Region Clinical Optometric Assessment Testing Service, where he evaluated the competency of recent optometry school graduates for state licensure in the profession of Optometry.   He continued caring for patients in Tampa until 2001.

In 2003, Dr. Blanchard, his wife Marianne, son Jason and daughter Jillian formed Brighton Golf Partners. Together they owned and operated Summerfield Crossings Golf Club for 20 years.  He was an avid golfer and enjoyed welcoming many new friends to "Doc's Grille" after their rounds of golf. During this time, he also was active in the Riverview Chamber of Commerce, Riverview Rotary, and served for several years on the board of Tampa's Education Channel.  He and Marianne also thoroughly enjoyed dressing up as Santa and Mrs. Claus for numerous holiday events at Summerfield and other locations in the SouthShore area.

Dr. Blanchard is survived by his wife of 34 years, Marianne (nee Odenbach); son, Jason Blanchard (Karen), of Tampa; daughter Jillian Blanchard (Lance Peterson) of Alameda, CA; brother Rabbi Tsvi Blanchard (Nomi) of New York City; three beloved grandchildren, Jared and Talia Blanchard and Gage Peterson; cousins, nieces, and many great-nieces and -nephews.  He will be remembered not only for his deep love of his family, but also for his intellect, his integrity, his kindness to all, and his large repertoire of unique, hilarious jokes.

A memorial service and burial will take place on Friday, March 6th at 10:00 am at Serenity Meadows Memorial Park, 6919 Providence Road, Riverview, FL  33569. The family will receive visitors at Dr. Blanchard's home on Friday, March 6th following the graveside service, and from 12 pm until 3pm on Saturday, March 7th.

Dr. Blanchard loved people and instilled in his children the importance of treating others with kindness and compassion.  He was particularly proud of how kind his kids became, including his daughter's work at the nonprofit Lawyers for Good Government (L4GG), which provides free legal services to protect people and communities in need. In lieu of flowers, Dr. Blanchard would appreciate having donations made to https://www.lawyersforgoodgovernment.org/tribute

Livestream link to view service: https://us01.l.antigena.com/l/Gzbo8vFB22ibjdItXTvXQpdMqbOyCXIdMaIKieGBL-u37JCn0RoH-VhekSTw~IEysoj_a1b0gVYWWMdeKn2OfF8FFLSlAE2nJHYGBN-iBN32Lt_B7MxyGM6lnAYlZZGPD8rSepFLrP7JjN3Vj4swJioFd6HN8NFQd16aRGjRdh9FT4UJrQTvU5VpG8dBlQ6qGFLMa~5HfsoaWHuuHUblXHI-A~Vo6AT