PRESQUE ISLE, Maine – Dr. Donald Read Blackstone passed away on June 11, 2018, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on March 5, 1925, to Read and Addie Blackstone at the Blackstone Homestead in Perham, Maine. His father, Read, was a full-time dairy/potato farmer and a full-time pastor. Addie was a loving and devoted mother.
Don grew up on the farm with his three brothers, Clayton, Bernard, and Lloyd, and his sister, Wilma. He attended Perham Grade School and graduated from Washburn High School in 1942, going on that fall to the University of Maine School of Agriculture. Don was drafted into the Navy in the fall of 1943 where after boot camp he trained and served at both Norfolk Naval Hospital and Bethesda Naval Hospital. After the war Donald pursued a career in dentistry and graduated from Tufts University in Boston. In 1953, he opened a dental practice in Presque Isle. In future years he returned to Tufts and in 1963 re-established his practice in orthodontics where he worked until his retirement in 1995. “Dr. Don,” as he was affectionately called, was loved by both his staff and patients over the years. He always felt the best part of doing his job was being able to work with people.
In August of 1954, Don married the love of his life, Nancy Nickerson, of Massachusetts. She was known as his “beautiful redhead from Boston” and he declared himself a blessed and lucky man to have her. Don and Nancy were married for 63 years. Together they raised five children, Donalee, Gregory, Darilynn, Deborah, and Cheryl. He was always known as a very hands-on father, conservative, yet loving and tender. His children grew up, knowing the ways of the farm. There were always plenty of pets… horses, dogs, cats, and even rabbits and sheep… and a giant family garden of vegetables, raspberries, and strawberries. There were wonderful trips every summer to Sebec Lake for days of sun and waterskiing and other days of tennis. In his later years he was “Grampie” to 19 grandchildren and “Great Grampie or Bampie” to 31 great-grandchildren. They all have fond memories of hunting trips and snowshoeing in the moonlight. Cutting tips and learning to make holiday wreaths is a memory shared by many. Others will remember the beautiful bouquets of Dahlias he brought them each year. Friends from the pool will remember his times of socializing, mixed with a little bit of exercise.
Donald was known for his steadfast faith and Christian walk and his deep love for the Lord. He was a man who knew how to both talk and walk what he believed. He will always be remembered by all those that loved him by the phrase, “Can we have a Word of Prayer before you go?” He faithfully served and attended the Dunntown Advent Christian Church and the State Road Advent Christian Church over the years where he had many friends.
Donald is survived by his wife Nancy, his five children and their spouses, Donalee and Dave Olsen of Kennesaw, Georgia, Greg and Virginia Blackstone of Presque Isle, Jeffrey and Darilynn Tarbox of Lyman, Maine, Mark and Debbie Carter of Presque Isle, and Cheryl and Darren Bonville of Presque Isle and multiple grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was treasured by all those that loved and knew him and he will be dearly missed.
The family would like to thank the caregivers at The Aroostook Medical Center and Hospice of Aroostook for the loving care they gave him.
Friends may call from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. on Sunday, June 17, 2018, at the State Road Advent Christian Church, 1135 State Rd, Mapleton, where funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Monday, June 18, 2018. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Don’s memory to State Road Advent Christian Church, PO Box 551, Presque Isle, ME 04769, or to Neighbors First, Inc., PO Box 722, Presque Isle, ME 04769. Online condolences may be shared at www.duncan-graves.com
