Topsail Beach Mayor Morton Blanchard dies, months after predecessor’s death

TOPSAIL BEACH, NC (WWAY) — The Town of Topsail Beach is mourning the death of its second mayor in less that six months.

Mayor Morton Blanchard died Sunday afternoon, according to a town news release.

A resident since 2004, Blanchard’s connection to Topsail Beach began in 1956 when his family purchased property on Humphrey Avenue. He and his wife, Patricia, both hailed from Wallace, North Carolina, and spent 31 years in Rose Hill, where they raised two sons. During his time in Rose Hill, Blanchard served 12 years as a town commissioner and chaired the Chamber of Commerce for three years.

In Topsail Beach, Blanchard dedicated more than a decade to public service, first as a commissioner and then as mayor for the past five months.

“Mayor Blanchard leaves a huge void in the Town of Topsail Beach. His leadership, wisdom, and compassion will be greatly missed by all who knew him. Funeral arrangements will be shared as they become available,” the town stated in a news release.

This marks the second leadership loss for Topsail Beach in recent months. Former Mayor Steve Smith died Sept. 13, 2024. Blanchard, then mayor pro tem, was appointed unanimously as the town’s top leader following Smith’s death.