PITTSFORD, N.Y. -- John D. Blanton, PhD., died Sunday, Dec. 18, 2016, at age 89.

John was born Jan. 23, 1927, in St. Louis to Harry C. and Maureen Daily Blanton. He was the grandson of Charles Lee Blanton, who was owner/editor of the Sikeston (Missouri) Standard.

John proudly served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and was discharged as an electronic technician's mate, 3rd class.

In 1947, he entered the Jesuit order and was ordained a priest in 1960. In 1970, he completed his doctorate in mathematics at the University of Illinois.

In 1971, after being laicized, he married Claire Bickham.

John taught mathematics at Rockhurst College in Kansas City, Missouri, and retired as professor emeritus after 25 years at St. John Fisher College in Rochester, New York. From 1968 to 1969, he was assistant to renowned mathematician Marston Morse at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, New Jersey. He translated three volumes of classical mathematics texts by Leonard Euler from Latin into English.

John, a daily communicant, was a longtime parishioner of Church of the Transfiguration. After he retired, he volunteered at St. Joseph's House of Hospitality.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Claire Blanton; sons, Jack (Char), Paul and Drew (Allison); daughter, Anne (Adam Friedberg); grandchildren, Jack and Henry Blanton and Julia and Margaret Friedberg; and siblings, Anne Tlapek, Joe (Nancy) Blanton, Lewis (Barbara) Blanton and Harry (Jane) Blanton.

He was predeceased by sisters, Rosemary Barr Quatmann, Patricia Kavanagh and Maureen Klein Graham.

A funeral Mass was held Wednesday in Pittsford at the Church of the Transfiguration.

To share a memory of John or send a condolence to the family, visit www.anthonychapels.com.

Funeral arrangements were provided by Anthony Funeral Chapels.