Richard Edward Blodgett, Jr.

BLODGETT, Richard Edward, Jr., 91, Brownville and Dover-Foxcroft, June 15, 2016. A celebration of life was held June 20, 2016. Arrangements are in the care of Lary Funeral Home.

 Richard Edward Blodgett, Jr.

BROWNVILLE & DOVER-FOXCROFT — Richard Edward Blodgett, Jr., 91, died June 15, 2016, after a brief illness at Hibbard Nursing Home in Dover-Foxcroft. Ed was born on June 11, 1925, in Sherman, Maine.  He was the son of Richard E. Blodgett, Sr. and Doris Shorey Blodgett. Ed graduated from Foxcroft Academy and Bentley College. While at Foxcroft Academy, Ed was a member of the school’s 1943 National Champion Cross Country team and a recipient of the Rose Award. After graduating from Bentley, Ed returned to Dover-Foxcroft to start his career and marry his wife of 67 years, Regina (Jean) Marsh Blodgett. Ed began his career with Great Northern Paper Company as a scaler; he progressed in the company and eventually became the general manager of several woods camps, the Superintendent of Woodlands Division in the West Branch region and a wood buyer. Among his many accomplishments he mapped all land owned by Great Northern through the use of aerial photographs and he was an integral part of the layout of the “Golden Road” beginning in Millinocket. Upon his retirement from Great Northern Paper Company, Ed wrote a book titled “The Way We Were,” which told the history of the Scott Brook Camp. He liked nothing more than to share stories of his experiences working for Great Northern. Ed personified the saying, “If you find a job you love, you never work a day in your life”.

Aside from his career, Ed was an avid member of the Masonic Lodge, earning the 50-year service medal. He was a Master Mason in the Mosaic Lodge #0052 in Dover-Foxcroft, where he was raised through the degrees. Upon moving to Brownville, he became a Master Mason of Pleasant River Lodge #0163. He was considered a cherished mentor for new members. Ed and his wife, Jean, enjoyed many memorable times playing golf and participating in bridge tournaments, often winning. They also enjoyed traveling in their Air Stream trailer with family and friends. They were avid Red Sox fans, spending part of their honeymoon at Fenway Park. Ed also enjoyed watching the New York Giants and the Boston Celtics.

Ed was predeceased by a sister, Polly, a brother, Doug, and his wife, Jean. He is survived by his two daughters, Linda B. Graham and husband, Keith, of Clinton and Karen B. Baker and husband, Garry, of West Gardiner; a son, Rodney Blodgett of Brownville; a sister, Thelma Chessa of Milo; a brother, Gerald Blodgett of Corinth; seven grandchildren, Travis Baker of Windham, Erin Baker of West Gardiner, Joseph Graham of Argyle, Benjamin Graham of Miami, FL, Jonathan Graham of Waterville, Richard Blodgett of Ocala, FL, and Erica Blodgett of Corpus Christi, TX; seven great-grandchildren, Emma, Sam and Elizabeth Baker and Jackson, Owen, Augustus and Penelope Graham.

Ed lived a very rich and fulfilling life, over the last several months he was often heard saying “I got my money’s worth.” A celebration of his life was held 1 p.m., June 20, 2016 at the Lary Funeral Home, Milo.  In lieu of flowers, donations to The Angel Fund, which benefits local schools, may be sent to Pleasant River Masonic Lodge #0163 c/o Dennis W. Green, P.O. Box 651, Brownville, ME 04414. Condolences and memories may be expressed at www.laryfuneralhome.com.