Owen V. "Skip" Blaisdell Jr., 78, of Portland, Maine, passed away on July 8, 2022 surrounded by his family after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. Known affectionately as “Skip” to family and friends, he was a man who valued the experiences of life, and for him those experiences were most meaningful when spent with his family. Owen managed his illness with strength and good humor, and wanted to spend as much time with his loved ones as possible.
Owen graduated from Deering High School in 1962 and Springfield College (MA) in 1968. After graduating, he went on to become a Naval Aviation Officer in 1969. After leaving the Navy, he returned to Springfield College to earn his master’s degree. Owen worked for Goodwill Industries of Northern New England for 36 years, retiring in 2013.
Owen was a kind hearted husband, father and grandfather. He was a great listener and enjoyed conversations with friends and family. He was a lover of animals and was known as the animal whisperer of the family as animals flocked to him. Owen was a fixture on Little Sebago Lake for nearly 70 years, but is never known to have taken off his shirt or have even entered the water during that time no matter the temperature. Owen was adored by all who met him and charmed them with his wonderful sense of humor and sharp wit that stayed with him until the end.
Owen loved music and cars. Prior to his Parkinson’s diagnosis, Owen enjoyed running, brewing beer, and home repair projects in his own home and those of his son and daughter. Most of all, Owen loved his children and four grandchildren, which was returned in equal measure.
Owen is survived by his wife of 55 years, Marsha Emery Blaisdell, son Jeffrey Owen Blaisdell husband of Rebecca Guy (Colchester, VT), daughter Karen Blaisdell Faiman and her husband J. Casey Faiman (Lawrenceville, NJ) and his grandchildren Ava and Isaac Blaisdell and Joseph and Elliot Faiman. He is also survived by brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law that he developed very special relationships with over time, Lynn & Barry Wight of Gorham, Lewis & Renee Emery of Windham and Chriss Emery of Westbrook.
He is predeceased by his parents Owen and Evelyn (Bragdon) Blaisdell, his sister Jean Black, and his wife’s parents, Lewis and Frances Emery.
Visiting hours will be held on Thursday, July 21st from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm at Jones, Rich & Barnes Funeral Home, 199 Woodford St, Portland. At 6:00 pm visitors are invited to an informal memorial service and are welcome to share memories of Owen during this time.
Memorial contributions in his name may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, P.O. Box 5014, Hagerstown, MD 21741-5014 or online at michaeljfox.org.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.jonesrichandbarnes.com for the Blaisdell family.
