1945 – 2015

WALES — It is with great sadness we say goodbye to our loving husband, brother and friend, Ronald E. Blaisdell, 70, who transitioned from this world to his home in heaven after a courageous battle with cancer. Ron died at home, surrounded by his loving family on Monday, Oct. 19.

He was born Aug. 3, 1945, in Lewiston to the late Ervin H. and Marian Bates Blaisdell. Ronny attended Leeds and Monmouth schools. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1969. One year later, he married the love of his life, Nancy L. Snyder, on Oct. 20, 1970. Ron’s passing came one day short of the couple’s 45th wedding anniversary.

The young couple made their first home in Colorado, where Ron was stationed at U.S. Army Base Fort Carson. Upon being honorably discharged, Ron and Nancy returned to Maine, making their home in Wales. This is where they resided for their entire marriage.

Ronny was employed by O’Brien Die in Lewiston, where he worked for 14 years, until osteoarthritis forced him to leave the workforce. A quiet man by nature, Ronny always went above and beyond to lend a helping hand to friends and all those he loved. Good, old-fashioned know-how, coupled with fierce determination, gave Ron the gift of ingenuity. There was no project too big or too small that he would not tackle. He paid close attention to detail, completing all projects he undertook with superior results, even with the health challenges he faced on a daily basis. Family members often joked he should have been an inventor.

He is survived by his wife, Nancy L. Blaisdell of Wales; daughter, Terry Lee; grandson, Derek Lee; granddaughter, Shayna Lee; three sisters, Shirley Maxwell and her husband, Norman, of Wales, Barbara Robitaille and her husband, Richard, of Turner and Donna Lehl and her husband, Richard, of Verrill Beach, Fla.; brothers, Richard Blaisdell and wife, Denneige, of Winthrop, and Donald Blaisdell and his wife, Evelyn, of Leeds; sister-in-law, Barbara Rolfe of Litchfield; brothers-in-law, Bill Snyder and Roberta Farris of Litchfield, and Chuck Snyder and wife, Sandra, of Litchfield; and many loving nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was predeceased by his parents, Marian and Ervin Blaisdell and Raymond and Ruth Snyder; grandparents, John and Evelyn Bates and Herbert and Florence Blaisdell; sister-in-law, Virginia Snyder Pulk; and brother-in-law, David Rolfe.

A special thank-you to Dr. Pandey and Lori Dyer, as well as the special girls from St. Mary’s Center for Cancer & Blood Disorders, who have been there for him for 25 years. Also thanks to his special nurses, Molly Webster, Beth Roy and Trisha Dubois; and neighbor, Meg Varney.

Messages of condolence may be sent to the family at www.finleyfuneralhome.com.