Carmen ''C.J.'' Blondin, Cdr Us Coast Guard (Ret.)

Carmen "C.J." Blondin, CDR US Coast Guard (Ret.), age 81, of Lansdowne, VA, passed away on October 5, 2011 at Senator Bob Hooper House in Forest Hill, MD. Born in Paterson, NJ, he was the son of the late Joseph and Margaret DeMarco Blondin and husband of the late Barbara Barker Blondin (married 56 years).

He leaves with loving memories, his children Jacqueline Smith (husband Bryan), Christopher Blondin (wife Darlene), Elizabeth Mihalkovitz (husband Tom), Barbara Ann (deceased), David Blondin (wife Emily), Jennifer King (husband Mike); his grand children, Stephen, Kenneth, Barbara, Allison, Bryan, Christopher, Craig, Brittni, Ryan, Olivia, Parker, Madigan, Reagan, and Emmerson. He is also survived by 9 great grandchildren. Carmen was the beloved brother of Marie Andriozzi, Lucile Bruno and Joseph Blondin.

As a young man, C.J. was active in the Boy Scouts where he quickly completed the requirements for Eagle Scout. He left for the Navy when he was 17 years old and served in the Submarine Service from 1948-1951. He then was accepted into the Coast Guard Academy and graduated in 1955.

During C.J.'s Coast Guard Service (1955-1973), he served as a line officer, engineer, commanding officer, lawyer and military judge. He was the captain of the USS Confidence, a 210' cutter in the Bearing Sea. At sea, he saved countless lives and began on his international journey by creating strong bonds with the Soviet and Chinese sailors he encountered. While in the Coast Guard, he completed his BS degree in Engineering (1955), and his Law degree (George Washington University Law School 1962) while also becoming fluent in Russian.

He was the chairman of the United Nations Committee that drafted the International Regulations for the Safety of Life at Sea, and the International Rules of the Road. He served as aide to President George H. Bush when he was Ambassador to the UN. He was also a veteran to both the Koran and Vietnam wars and was awarded two Commendation Medals for hazardous rescue operations and many other military service medals.

In 1973 C.J. left the military and began serving as a senior executive during the Reagan and Bush Administrations as Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Affairs in the Department of Commerce. He was responsible for the international activities of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Weather Service (NWS), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and the National Oceanic Service (NOS). He was a Senior Judge of the US-USSR Maritime Claims Commission, Deputy Assistant Administrator and International Director of NMFS-NOAA and was also a Liaison assigned to the Office of Intelligence (NSA-CIA). He was awarded two Meritorious Service Medals for negotiating international agreements of critical importance to the United States.
All of this while being a dedicated husband and father to his 6 children!

C.J. loved his country, his family and believed though education, truth and faith you could change the world. He will be missed dearly by all. God Speed Captain!

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, P.O. Box 50, Memphis, TN 38101-9929.