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Andre Blay, 1937-2018

Blay

Andre Blay, 81, of Bonita Springs, Fla., passed away on Aug. 24, 2018, surrounded by his family.

Andre was born in Mount Clemens, Mich., the son of Robert and Agnes Blay. He was married to Nancy Fleming on Dec. 6, 1957 in Mt. Pleasant, Mich. He was a loyal Michigan State University Spartan, receiving his B.A. in 1959, his M.B.A. in 1977, and eventually becoming the director and president of the MSU Foundation. Andre served his country in the ROTC and the U.S. Army Reserves.

Known as the pioneer of the home video revolution, Andre founded the Magnetic Video Corporation in 1969. In 1977 MVC became the first company to release theatrical motion pictures on videocassette, launching the industry that enabled people to bring movies from the theaters into their homes. His many awards include induction into the Video Hall of Fame and Consumer Electronics Hall of Fame, MSU Business Alumni of Year, and CMU Executive in Residence. Andre was also the producer of many films and the author of Pre-Recorded History, his entrepreneurial memoir.

In retirement, Andre shared his passionate business spirit by speaking to MSU M.B.A. students, UCLA law students, Central Michigan University Business School, High Point University entrepreneur students, and Florida Gulf Coast University students.

He is survived by Nancy, his loving wife of 60 years, their children Robert (Miriam) of Granby, and Cynthia (David) of Falmouth, Maine, and their grandchildren, Mae, Annie (Brian), Stephanie, Madison, and Mackenzie. Andre is also survived by loving nieces, nephews, and their families. To be a part of Andre’s family was to know unconditional love, support, and great times.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any gifts be made in Andre’s memory to the Florida Gulf Coast University Foundation for the benefit of the Bower School of Music at the following address:

Florida Gulf Coast University Foundation, In memory of Andre Blay, Attn: Chris Simoneau, 10501 FGCU Boulevard, Fort Myers, FL 33965 or to the Mae B. Fleming Endowment Fund at: CMU, Carlin Alumni House, 524 E. Bellows St., Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858.

Online condolences may be offered at http://www.shikanyfuneralhome.com.


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