ROCKPORT – Harold “Budge” Winthrop Blaisdell Sr., 81, of Dixfield, died Friday, Sept. 2, at Penobscot Bay Medical Center in Rockport, following a long illness, with his beloved wife at his side.

He was born in Dixfield on Sept. 3, 1923, the son of Harold M. and Mary (Andrew) Blaisdell.

Budge completed his education attending the one Dixfield school from first grade through graduation. Other than his time away in the Navy, he lived his entire life in Dixfield, a hometown he truly enjoyed.

He proudly served in the U.S. Navy during World War II as an aviation machinist mate first class.

He retired from Boise Cascade Paper Mill in 1986 after 43 years of dedicated employment.

He was a lifetime member of the VFW Post No. 1641 and the Disabled American Veterans. He was also a member of the Rangeley Guides and Sportsman’s Association.

Budge had many and varied interests such as racing Corvairs, piloting his own plane, ham radio operation, wood carving, fly fishing, cooking and bread making, cribbage with friends and photography.

He is survived by his wife of 20 years, Rachel Bilodeau Blaisdell, of Dixfield; two daughters, Bonnie Cappucci and husband, Michael, of Manchester, Conn., and Bettina Desrochers of St. Johnsbury, Vt.; two sons, Harold W. Blaisdell Jr. of Somerville, Mass., and Michael Blaisdell of Bethel; seven grandchildren, Kate, Frances and Grace Desrochers, Macy Blaisdell, Jordan Bennett, James Cappucci and Karen Meehan; and two great-grandchildren, Kate and Matthew Cappucci. He is also survived by his first wife, Loretta, of Coopers Mills.

He was predeceased by a grandson, Harold Michael Blaisdell.

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