BLUE HILL/ELLSWORTH — Percy Donald Blaisdell, 85, passed away peacefully on Jan. 2, 2017, at Avita of Stroudwater in Westbrook, Maine, following a short period of failing health.
Percy was born on March 6, 1931, in Blue Hill, to the late William M. and Hazel (Robertson) Blaisdell. He attended George Stevens Academy, where he played varsity baseball and basketball, and was member of their winning Maine State basketball team of 1948. He was also a member of the National Honor Society. Percy graduated from GSA in 1949 and attended Washington State Normal School (now the University of Maine at Machias). While there, he met Virginia (Ginny) May Murphy; they both graduated in 1952 and were married on Aug. 24, 1952. Percy went on to earn both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in Education from the University of Southern Maine.
In June of 1953, Percy began his military service in the United States Army. He spent two years at Fort Campbell, Ky., with the 511th Signal Company of the 11th Airborne Division.
Percy and Ginny moved first to Eliot, then Kittery, Maine. Percy taught at Laura V. Dame Elementary School in Eliot, Pease Air Force Base Elementary School in Portsmouth, N.H., and Haven Elementary School in Portsmouth, where he was also the school’s principal. Percy then went to Marshwood Junior High School in South Berwick, Maine, where he taught eighth grade math and was the assistant principal. He also coached basketball and baseball. Percy retired from teaching in 1986. He then worked full time at his summer job with the Maine Publicity Bureau at their information center in Kittery, assisting travelers with directions and insights and also serving as the assistant manager. In connection with this position, he spent several years attending The Eastern States Exposition in Massachusetts, which he thoroughly enjoyed. Percy retired from the MPB in 1998.
Percy was a member of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Portsmouth, the Portsmouth Yacht Club, Newcastle, N.H., and the Southern Maine Fish and Game Club in Kittery, where he taught Hunter Safety courses for many years, and the York County and Maine Retired Teachers Associations.
In 1998, Percy and Ginny moved from Kittery to Ellsworth, to enjoy full retirement. Percy was a member of St. Francis by the Sea Episcopal Church in Blue Hill, the Blue Hill Historical Society, the Ellsworth and Blue Hill American Legions, the Hancock County Retired Teachers Association, and for many years was a volunteer driver for the Washington Hancock Community Agency.
Percy loved talking to people and lending a helping hand whenever needed. He had a lifelong love of the outdoors, and enjoyed fishing, hunting, boating, camping and gardening, along with woodworking and reading. In his later years, he traveled to Ireland and took a road trip across the United States. Percy was an avid fan of the Boston Red Sox, New England Patriots and the Boston Celtics.
Percy is survived by his daughter, Nanci L. Blaisdell, of New York City, and her partner, Deborah L. Murphy; his brother-in-law, Allen W. Murphy of Mount Desert Island and 13 nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife of 49 years, Ginny, and his companions Constance (Connie) Bridges and Katherine (Kathy) Ricker, and by his brother, William E. Blaisdell.
The family would like to thank the staff at Avita of Stroudwater and Compassus Hospice for the excellent care they gave Percy in the last months and days of his life.
A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 27, 2017, at St. Francis by the Sea Episcopal Church, Blue Hill, with the Rev. Claudia Wyatt Smith officiating; a reception will follow. Private interment will be in the Hillside Cemetery, Surry. In lieu of flowers, friends may make donations in Percy’s memory to St. Francis by the Sea Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 76, Blue Hill, ME 04614; George Stevens Academy, Development Office, 23 Union St., Blue Hill, ME 04614; or to your local hospice or outdoor organization.
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