[2] Blair was born to the descendants of Scottish immigrants to Canada in the town of West Zorra and grew up on his parents' dairy farm, the eldest of eight children.
[1] During World War II he enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force serving on home soil as a mechanic and test pilot.
Blair was re-elected to a second two-year term in 1974 but resigned in 1976 to accept an appointment to the Ontario Municipal Board.
[1] During his term as mayor, he was instrumental in East York becoming host city for the first World Junior Curling Championships in 1975.
[1] In the late 1970s, Blair was appointed by the provincial government of Bill Davis to head a commission examining how property tax rates should be set.