John Blaisdell

SKOWHEGAN – John Blaisdell, 67, of Norridgewock, passed away peacefully at his Skowhegan home on March 28, 2026, six-and-a-half years after he suffered a severe stroke which permanently altered his life. He will be forever missed by his best friend and loving wife, Toni Jo, as well as his family and his many friends.

He was born on July 21, 1958, (in the middle of haying season), the second of four children, to Eugene A. and Iris S. Blaisdell. He grew up on the Blaisdell family farm, tending animals, haying, and working in the family’s butcher shop. Although there was always work to be done, he did manage to find time for fun, too.

He was educated in Norridgewock and Skowhegan schools and graduated from Skowhegan Area High School in 1977. Following graduation, he joined his grandfather Alton and father Eugene full-time as a fourth-generation butcher. After Alton and Eugene passed, John operated the butcher shop with his brother Mark.

Although he was a skilled butcher, his true love was driving tractors and “playing in the dirt.” He competed in tractor pulling for a while, often working in the fields, then washing and waxing the Beefeater and heading to the fair to pull. Even though he eventually gave up pulling, he was a lifelong follower of the sport. He always enjoyed scraping and rolling the track at the Maine Antique Tractor Club pulls in Norridgewock.

Another of his loves was his International Scout, which he enjoyed cruising around in. The tale of the trip to Pennsylvania with Tim Lyman to haul back a hay baler, which he pulled on the interstate through Hartford, Conn., has been recounted many times.

John tinkered or welded on probably every piece of equipment on the farm. No matter how tedious, he would work patiently until repairs were completed. He would go to farming supply stores or equipment dealers, often in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, study the makeup of pieces of equipment that he knew would help ease jobs, get a brochure, purchase the parts, come home and make it from scratch.

John was involved with the Skowhegan State Fair for many years. He had many different jobs including supervisor of parking, where he met and guided many show performers as they arrived, worked in the agriculture department, was a member of the board of directors, and was president for two years, a job that he enjoyed and was very dedicated to. It was during his parking tenure that he met “that girl” in the information booth under the grandstand who would later become his wife and life partner on April 16, 1988, a spring day that was blessed with 18-inches of wet, heavy snow. John also served for a time as a board member of the USDA Farm Services Agency Committee in Skowhegan.

Another of his interests was growing vegetables to sell to the public. Over the years, he grew the business with the assistance of his wife and family. Life changed at the farm when he acquired the pink barn. The vegetable stand moved to the barn and more products were offered. Of course, his sweet corn was what everyone was waiting for each August! He loved meeting people and was always interested in learning about them and where they were from.

When the road construction crew cut an oil tank for him to make a cooker, that was the beginning of many pig roasts and other cooking occasions. He loved it all. He loved the cooking, feeding people, and hosting all the many gatherings.

Sadly, on Aug. 15, 2019, his life was changed forever. However, through the many months in hospitals and rehab facilities, he kept his sense of humor and tried his best to do all that was asked of him. His many medical caregivers over the years enjoyed interacting with him as he worked to recover from his stroke. Total recovery was not to be, but he accepted his situation and made the best of it. Many thanks go out to Dr. Doughty, the staff at Redington Medical Primary Care and the folks at Andwell Health Partners for their loving care of John in hospice. Special thanks go to the entire Redington EMS staff and Skowhegan Fire Department staff who made many trips to his home over the years and always, always treated John and Toni Jo with the utmost kindness and care.

John is survived by his wife, Toni Jo; his sister, Audrey Blaisdell, sister, Cheryl Blaisdell and her partner Andrew Wilson; brother, Mark Blaisdell, his wife Sherry and their children Megan and Matthew; as well as many extended relatives and friends.

He was predeceased by his parents; and Toni Jo’s parents, Henry and Shirley Whittemore.

His celebration of life will take place at Centenary United Methodist Church on Dr. Mann Road in Skowhegan, on Saturday, April 18. Visiting will begin at 10 a.m. and his service at 11 a.m. A light luncheon will follow the service in the church’s fellowship hall. If you are able to attend, please wear red!

Burial will be at Pine Grove Cemetery in Hartland, at a later date.

Services are under the care of Veilleux-Redington-Lawry Brothers, 8 Elm St., Waterville. An online guestbook may be signed and memories shared at http://www.vrlfuneralhome.com.

Anyone wishing to make donations in John’s memory can send them to

Maine Antique Tractor Club, or MATC

P.O. Box 274

Norridgewock, ME 04957