LOWVILLE – Benjamin L. "Ben" Blair, 89, of Lowville, died with his family at his side early Wednesday morning, June 29, 2016 , at Lewis County General Hospital 's palliative care unit under the care of Lewis County Hospice.

Ben was born August 24, 1926 , in Utica , the son of the late Benjamin Levi and Florence Josephine (Sawyer) Blair. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1946 to 1949, and re-enlisted for two more years being honorable discharged in 1951, as a Platoon Sergeant. He married Clara Grace Bailey on December 31, 1949 , at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Glenfield. Clara died on June 28, 1998 .

Ben was a maintenance supervisor at Boise Cascade for 30 years. He then volunteered working for Sheriff Jock in the formation of the Citizen Patrol here in Lewis County . Ben became interested in law enforcement and became a Lewis County Deputy. He retired from Lewis County Sheriff's Department as a Correction Officer.

Ben very much enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, listening to music and Yankees baseball.

He is survived by his six children, his daughters, Kathleen and David Emmo of Tampa, FL; Colleen and Joseph Egnaczyk of Boonville; his four sons, Ben L. and Deborah Blair of Lowville; Joe P. and Melanie Blair of Boise, ID; Michael L. and Tammy Blair of Oswego; Scott A. and Melinda Blair of Croghan; his sister, Jeanette and her husband Charles of NC; eight grandchildren, nineteen great grandchildren and one on the way.

He is predeceased by his granddaughters, Bethany T. Blair, and Annette M. Merry; his great grandson, Parker J. Egnaczyk; his two sisters, Eva and Shirley, and his three brothers, George, Roy, and Douglas Blair,

A funeral mass will be said on Friday, July 1, 2016 , at St. Peter's Catholic Church at 1:00 P.M. with Rev. Christopher Carrara, pastor officiating. A military burial will follow in Beaches Bridge Cemetery .

Family and friends are welcome to call at the Sundquist Funeral Home on Friday the 1st from 10:00 to 12:00 ( noon ) prior to the funeral mass.