Philip Gerard Blanc, born February 21st, 1953, was a devoted father, longtime police officer, and passionate automotive enthusiast. Phil passed away at home on October 13th, 2024. He was 71 years old. He finally went to Heaven to be reunited with his parents, Al Blanc and Lillian (Sesar) Blanc, his beloved Uncle Henry, and many adoring pets, after a relentless battle with MSA that occurred over the past 6 years. Phil is also preceded in death by his father-in-law, “Dusty” Muir, whom he considered to be one of his best friends, and one sister-in-law, Kristin (Muir) Cytyrn whom he shared countless laughs with; we are sure his reunion with them will be a joyous one! He leaves behind a legacy of kindness, service, love, and laughter that will forever resonate with all who knew him.

Phil worked as a dedicated member of the New York City Police Department for 15 years, the Fairfax County Police Department for 18 years, and the Culpeper County Sheriff's Department for 5 years. Officer / ACO / Deputy Blanc served his community with honor and commitment for over 38 years in total. Whether on duty or off, his sense of humor, empathy, and care for others was unmistakable. He took pride in protecting the people of his hometowns and always found time to support his fellow officers. His quick wit and playful nature provided a welcome relief from the pressures of the job, earning him a reputation for bringing smiles during even the toughest situations. Phil was offered numerous promotions over the course of his law enforcement career, and always politely and quickly declined them, feeling his true calling was serving his community members directly while working on patrol. Phil was always extremely proud to have been a member of the NYPD. The stories he could tell from his days of undercover work and the things he saw in the various boroughs there could keep anyone captivated and astonished for hours. For a few years, I was fortunate enough to work directly with my Dad while he served as a bailiff for the CCSO and I will forever cherish those memories we made together- often the public would comment to me about how much they appreciated their interactions with my Dad - one particular sentiment that has stayed with me over the years recounted that my Dad was the best kind of person, as he treated everyone - from inmate, to judge, to lawyer, to witness - with the exact same respect, humanity, and fairness that all people deserve. 

When not in uniform, Phil had a deep passion for racing and all things automotive. He spent countless hours working on cars and bringing engines of all kinds back to life. My Dad could fix anything; if it was mechanical he could (and would) work on it for you or anyone else who asked him to “take a look” at it. In addition to his law enforcement career, Phil worked at Suzuki of Edison NJ and Cycle Toons of Freehold NJ and owned his own KJB Trucking Company. The roar of a well-tuned engine and the smell of motor oil were comforts to him, and he thrived in the camaraderie of the racetrack. He started out racing dirtbikes as a child and quickly found he had a natural talent for the sport. Phil would go on to race sprint cars, flat track, classic drag cars, and drag bikes. His favorite pastime was drag racing, his extensive collection of motorcycles and classic/antique cars. Amongst his many racing wins and accolades, he was a proud 5x AA Stock and 2x F Stock AMA Dragbike National Record Holder. He loved to share his enthusiasm with others- whether showing a friend how to change a tire, teaching his daughters how to race dragsters, ride four-wheelers, and restore antique cars, or simply swapping old racing stories in the garage.

My Dad was truly a jack of all trades. He built an eight-stall barn from the ground up, just because my sister and I wanted horses. He nursed numerous sick and injured animals back to health. He cleared property for friends on the weekends. He operated heavy machinery (from backhoes to bailing hay) with easy expertise. He split firewood for every winter and landscaped our yard for every summer. If anything - plumbing, electrical, heating, roofing, welding, etc. - was broken, my Dad is the one people knew they could call on to help them fix it. There was nothing my Dad couldn’t fix (even if it too often involved duct-tape or zip ties) and he was never afraid of hard work. Phil was an avid boater and fisherman. He was an expert marksman and even served as a range master for a while. He also enjoyed traveling and vacationing with his family. He always found time to attend our sporting events and family activities - and managed to be the life of the party at all of them. In his later years, Phil loved spending time with his grandkids and could always be found making them laugh or taking them on a tractor ride. Their visits gave Phil great happiness and moments of brightness during the difficult end of his life.

But more than anything, Phil was known for his impeccable sense of humor. He had a gift for making people laugh, finding the funny side in almost any situation, and brightening the lives of everyone he met. Those who were lucky enough to know him will never forget the joy he brought into their lives—whether it was a joke that left you doubled over or a perfectly timed one-liner that broke the tension when it was needed the most. He could turn anything into a joke and was never afraid to embarrass himself in the name of fun. He loved pranks, gag gifts, stupid jokes, and good-natured picking on folks. Some people might say that my Dad was always joking around too much and that he wasn’t serious enough, but I say he was the funniest person I have ever had the privilege to know. My sister and I will always both be proud to have inherited our sense of humor and appreciation of sarcasm from him. 

Phil is survived by his wife, Kathy (Muir) Blanc, who went above and beyond her wifely duties in caring for him and standing by him throughout his battle with MSA. He is also survived by the rest of his loving family to include: his daughters Kristine Blanc and Kaitlyn Blanc, his stepmother Elizabeth Blanc, sister Michelle D’Andrea, and his precious grandchildren - whom he loved so very much and wished he could have more time with here on Earth. He is also survived by many extended family members and friends, all of whom he enjoyed laughing with and loved in his own way. His memory will forever be cherished by his family, friends, colleagues, and the countless other lives he touched with his laughter and kindness. Though he may no longer be here with us in person, his spirit lives on in every story told, every engine that roars to life, and every moment of laughter shared in his honor.

Rest in peace, Dad. You will be deeply missed and never forgotten. We love you forever.

The family will receive relatives and friends at a Memorial Gathering in Phil’s honor to be held on November 3rd, 2024 from 1:30 to 4:30 pm at Alum Springs Baptist Church - 11058 Dutch Hollow Road, Culpeper, VA 22701.