GRAY – Cecil Roy Blackwood Jr., 81, died unexpectedly, Friday March 4, 2011, surrounded by his loving family at Gosnell Memorial Hospice House. He was born Feb. 23, 1930, in Pembroke, the son of Evaleth Davis and Cecil Roy Blackwood Sr. and stepmother, Cecilia.
Cecil was a graduate of Pembroke High School, Class of 1949. He served in the U.S. Army, as a private first class, from May 1951 to April 1953. A hard worker, Cecil retired in the early 1970s after working 30 years for Thomas DiCenzo Inc. He had a deep love for horses. Cecil was a longtime harness racing trainer and owner. He belonged to U.S. Trotting Association, Maine Harness Horseman’s Association and Maine Breeders Association.
Cecil is survived by his devoted wife of 60 years, Anna (Stevens) Blackwood; two children, David Blackwood and wife, Helen, of Twenty-nine Palms, Calif., and Donna Pierce and husband, Jeffery Pierce Sr., of Bucksport; six grandchildren, David Blackwood Jr. and wife, Kristie, Mark Blackwood and wife, Melanie, Michael Blackwood and wife, Trista, Christopher Blackwood, Tonya Pierce and Jeffery Pierce II and wife, Trishia; 14 great-grandchildren, Austin, Naomi, Emilie, Joselyn, Blake, Taelyn, Orion, Liana, Madeline, Alyssa, Maddison, Kaleb, Jessica and Brittany; two nieces, MaryAnn Ramsdell and Susan Cox; and one nephew, James Ramsdell. Cecil was predeceased by his parents; his stepmother; one sister, Joyce Ramsdell; one stepsister, Carolyn McConnell; niece, Joann Ramsdell; and nephew, Harold Ray Ramsdell.
Family and friends will gather for visitation noon until the time of service 1 p.m. Wednesday, March 9, at Mays Funeral Home – Flagg Chapel, 72 High St., Eastport. Donations in Cecil’s memory may be made to MHH Association Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 436, Augusta, ME 04332 or Gosnell Memorial Hospice House, 11 Hunnewell Road, Scarborough, ME 04074. Funeral arrangements in Bucksport are under the direction of Mitchell-Tweedie Funeral Home and Cremation Service.