Joseph Blizman passed away after a long journey with Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD). He was fortunate to experience a slow progression of the disease, allowing him many years to continue enjoying the people, places, and the outdoors he loved.

Born in Michigan, Joe attended Michigan State University, where he met his future wife. Together, they raised their family in Connecticut, where Joe built a distinguished career as a science teacher and department head. He proudly served in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War before dedicating his life to education and family.

Those who knew him best understood that beneath his stoic exterior was a deep love for his family and a dry wit that often surfaced at exactly the right moment. When he did speak, his observations were frequently funny, thoughtful, and memorable.

Outside the classroom, Joe found joy in photography, a love of reading, long walks in the woods with his dog, the beauty of the natural world, and, of course, Oreos. After retirement, he and his wife moved to New Hampshire’s White Mountains, where they embraced the peace and solitude of the mountains. His beloved wife preceded him in death in 2016. He is survived by his children and grandchildren.

Joe's memory serves as an opportunity to raise awareness of FTD, a devastating disease that affects behavior, personality, language, and relationships. The changes it causes are symptoms of disease, not choices. Families facing FTD are encouraged to seek understanding and support, and to remember that beneath the illness remains the person they have always loved.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration (AFTD) at www.theaftd.org.

Joe will be remembered for his quiet strength, curiosity, love of science, humor, and the lasting impact he made on his family, students, and friends.