MECHANIC FALLS – Ellsworth W. Blair, 81, of Mechanic Falls died Thursday, Jan. 5, at his home.

He was born in West Poland on Jan. 25, 1924, the son of Lester W. and Bessie Farr Blair. He graduated from Mechanic Falls High School in 1942. He served in the Merchant Marines during World War II.

He married Miriam F. Prince in 1946. He had been a plumbing and heating contractor for 37 years. He joined York Rite Masonry in 1945, and was a member of the Past Officers Association. He was also a member of the Knights of the York Cross of Honor, Red Cross of Constantine and Kora Temple Shrine.

He was an avid hunter and fisherman.

He is survived by a sister-in-law, Thelma (Prince) Hedges, of Syracuse, N.Y.; nephew, Chris L. Hedges, of Stockton, N.J.; niece, Mimi L. Hedges, of Columbia, Mo.; nephew, Jeffrey T. Hedges, of New Berlin, Wis.; two grandnephews, Thomas Hedges, of Stockton, N.J., and William Hedges, of New Berlin, Wis.; as well as two grandnieces, Noelle Hedges, of Stockton, N.J., and Isabel Hedges-Fagre, of Columbia, Mo.

He was predeceased by his wife in 2004; and a brother, Warren Blair.