CARIBOU – Vernon Augustus Blackstone, 76, Caribou businessman and community leader, died Dec. 15, 2011, after a courageous fight with pancreatic cancer. He was born Dec. 10, 1935, on his family’s farm in Caribou, the son of the late Earl Augustus and Alice May (Thomas) Blackstone.
He was a 1953 graduate of Caribou High School, and in 1965 received a Bachelor of Science degree in agriculture business and economics from the University of Maine, Orono. Subsequently he also completed a number of courses related to financial and estate planning. He married K. Judith (Alcott) Blackstone, formerly of Winthrop, Sept. 1, 1961. Mr. Blackstone worked for 10 years for the American Farm Bureau Federation in Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Connecticut. In 1975 he purchased and built a home on the Caribou farm that once belonged to his grandfather, Fred J. Blackstone Sr. That same year he established
Blackstone Associates, an insurance and financial planning firm. Mr. Blackstone was also a member of the U.S. Army Reserves and proceeded through the enlisted ranks to a direct commission as a first lieutenant in the Civil Affairs Branch. Active in community affairs Mr. Blackstone was a member of the board of trustees of Caribou Utilities District from 1993 to 1998, and 2003, serving as a president and treasurer; a member of Capital Improvement Committee for the city of Caribou; and he was elected to Marlborough (Conn.) Board of Education from 1971 to 1975, serving as chairperson for two years. He was a lifelong Republican and actively supported a number of candidates for local, state and national office. A longtime member who held a number of leadership positions in the United Methodist Church, Mr. Blackstone was also a 51-year life member of Caribou Masonic Lodge No. 170 AF & AM Scottish Rites through and including the Shrine; and an active member of Caribou Lions Club since 1975, serving as president from 1984 to 1985 and as master of ceremonies for the annual sportsman’s banquet for 12 years. Last summer he was presented with the Melvin Jones Award, the highest recognition a Lions Club can bestow on a member. Mr. Blackstone was involved with the founding and promotion of Camp Adventure in its outreach to children living with diabetes, and was northeast district president of the YMCA from 1977 to 1985. He served as president of Aroostook County Life Underwriters Association, a board member of Maine Association of Life Underwriters, and as national committee member of National Association of Life Underwriters in 1979.
As a business owner, Mr. Blackstone was active in Employer Support of the National Guard and Reserves and was awarded membership in Honorable Order of Saint Barbara by the 152nd Field Artillery Army, National Guard, for outstanding services rendered to the ESGR program. While in high school Mr. Blackstone served as president of Future Farmers of America, elected a Chapter Farmer, and was awarded a Community Citation in 1953 by Caribou Chamber of Commerce for service to the community by a young leader. Mr. Blackstone was recognized throughout Maine and Maritime Provinces as a breeder of outstanding Airedale terriers, and was active in Airedale Rescue, Airedale Terrier Club of America and Sunshine Airedale Club of Florida.
Surviving in addition to his wife, Judith of Caribou, are his sons, the Rev. Dr. Thomas L. Blackstone and his wife, Lynn, of Augusta and Jon V. Blackstone and his wife, Dawna, of Shirley; his grandchildren, Alexander T., Patrick J. and Laura A. Blackstone of Augusta and Ian D. and Wyatt J. Blackstone of Shirley; his siblings, Earlyne Blackstone of Saco, Barbara Anguish and her husband, John, of Brunswick, Joyce Churchill and her husband, Robert, of Fort Fairfield, Roger and his wife, Catherine, of Winthrop and Dr. Phyllis Blackstone of Farmington; his brother-in-law, Ladd G. Alcott of Mesquite, Nev.; his parents-in-law, Gordon W. and Amelia D. Alcott of Winthrop; and his Airedale terrier, Nicholas. He was predeceased by a sister, Ruth M. Chamberland; and a nephew, Scott Blackstone.
A celebration of Vernon Blackstone’s life will be held 1 p.m. Dec. 28 at Bessie Gray Memorial United Methodist Church, Caribou, with the Rev. Ron Chaffee officiating. After the service all are invited to visit with the family for a time of continued fellowship and refreshments in the church dining area. A private interment will be held at a later date. Friends who wish to contribute in Mr. Blackstone’s honor may do so though Shiners’ Hospitals for Children or another charity of one’s choice.
www.mocklerfuneralhome.com
“It is always a shock when a mighty oak begins to sway …” – A. Alcott