ANDRE MARSHALL BLADES, 54, of Fruitland, died Tuesday, January 5, 2010 at Peninsula Regional Medical Center in Salisbury.

Born in Crisfield on May 20, 1955, he was the son of Jean Marshall Blades of Crisfield and the late Thomas C. "Titter" Blades, Jr., who died in 1990.

Andre grew up and attended school in Crisfield, and following his family's move to Salisbury, he graduated from Bennett High School.

A US Navy veteran, he was currently working as a computer technician at Custom Cable Solutions in Salisbury. Formerly, he was a master sheet cutter at Atlantic & Hastings in Salisbury where he worked more than 20 years.

Andre was an avid drag racer at the US 13 Raceway. He also enjoyed NASCAR and sports, especially soccer and softball. Most of all, he loved spending time with his family, and he adored his granddaughter.

He is survived by his mother, Jean Marshall Blades, of Crisfield; his companion, Peggy Smith of Fruitland; his daughter, Jessica Wilkinson of Princess Anne; his granddaughter, Autumn Gillis of Princess Anne; his aunts and uncles, Patsy Somers, Doris and Bobby Balderson, all of Crisfield, and Orland "Buck" Marshall of California; and his cousins, Patsy E. Somers, Marjory Morgan, and Valerie Howard, all of Crisfield, Lawrence Somers and Bruce Somers of Marion, and Brett Marshall and Todd Marshall of California.

Funeral services will be Saturday, January 9, 2010 at 2 PM at Bradshaw & Sons Funeral Home in Crisfield where friends may call one hour prior. The Rev. Robert Daniels will officiate. Interment with military honors will follow in Sunnyridge Memorial Park in Crisfield.

Memorial contributions are requested to be sent to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Mid-Atlantic, 3411 Silverside Road, Weldin Bldg. Suite 104, Wilmington, DE 19810.

To send condolences to the family, please visit www.bradshawandsonsfuneralhome.com