Very sad news indeed. We never met in person, but I had several phone conversations over the years with Jim. It was always a privilege to talk to him.
I have heard from others who knew him that Jim was getting ready to retire from his job in auto sales when the former owners of what would become ASM fell on hard times after losing a lawsuit over a casino order. Jim or his family owned the building where the equipment was located, and many of his family and friends worked there. He stepped in to essentially save the business and the jobs, keeping the factory open. He made small custom orders for collectors like us, sometimes using materials left over from larger casino and card room orders, to keep his employees working between those larger casino orders.
What we now know as "Old ASM" was synonymous with quality and integrity because of Jim.
We will not see those circumstances, or a man like Jim Blanchard, again.
Rest in Peace, Jim.