Caribou- Vernon Augustus Blackstone,76, Caribou businessman and community leader, died December 15, 2011, after a courageous fight with pancreatic cancer. He was born on his family’s farm in Caribou December 10, 1935, 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 at Orono. Subsequently, he also completed a number of courses related to financial and estate planning. He married K. Judith (Alcott) Blackstone, formerly of Winthrop, on September 1, 1961.
Mr. Blackstone worked for ten 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 US 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 the Caribou Utilities District from 1993-1998, and 2003, serving as a President and Treasurer; a member of the Capital Improvement Committee for the City of Caribou; and he was elected to the Marlborough (CT) 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 the Caribou Lions Club since 1975, serving as President from 1984-85 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 1977-1985. He served as President of the Aroostook County Life Underwriters Association, a board member of the Maine Association of Life Underwriter, and as national committee member of the National Association of Life Underwriters in 1979. As a business owner, Mr. Blackstone was active in “Employer Support of the National Guard and Reserves” (ESGR), 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 the Future Farmers of America, was elected a Chapter Farmer, and was awarded a Community Citation in 1953 by the 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, the Airedale Terrier Club of America, and the 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, NV; 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, a nephew Scott Blackstone. A celebration of Vernon Blackstone’s life will be held at the Bessie Gray Memorial United Methodist Church, Caribou December 28, 2011 at 1pm with Rev. Ron Chaffee, officiating. Following 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 the Shiners’ Hospitals for Children or another charity of one’s choice. “It is always a shock when a mighty oak begins to sway…” (A. Alcott) To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Vernon A. Blackstone, please visit our flower store.
Mr. Blackstone worked for ten 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 US 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 the Caribou Utilities District from 1993-1998, and 2003, serving as a President and Treasurer; a member of the Capital Improvement Committee for the City of Caribou; and he was elected to the Marlborough (CT) 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 the Caribou Lions Club since 1975, serving as President from 1984-85 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 1977-1985. He served as President of the Aroostook County Life Underwriters Association, a board member of the Maine Association of Life Underwriter, and as national committee member of the National Association of Life Underwriters in 1979. As a business owner, Mr. Blackstone was active in “Employer Support of the National Guard and Reserves” (ESGR), 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 the Future Farmers of America, was elected a Chapter Farmer, and was awarded a Community Citation in 1953 by the 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, the Airedale Terrier Club of America, and the 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, NV; 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, a nephew Scott Blackstone. A celebration of Vernon Blackstone’s life will be held at the Bessie Gray Memorial United Methodist Church, Caribou December 28, 2011 at 1pm with Rev. Ron Chaffee, officiating. Following 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 the Shiners’ Hospitals for Children or another charity of one’s choice. “It is always a shock when a mighty oak begins to sway…” (A. Alcott) To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Vernon A. Blackstone, please visit our flower store.
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