Obituary for Delwin Forest Blackwell
CORINTH - Delwin F. Blackwell, 87, passed away peacefully the morning of February 18, 2023, with the love of his family surrounding him, and after an extraordinary life.
Delwin was born in Corinth, Maine on June 13, 1935, to the late Forest and Eleanor (Hanson) Blackwell. He graduated from Higgins Classical Institute in 1954. Shortly after, he started a sawmill on the family farm. While at the Blue Moon Dance at the Lagrange Town Hall he spotted his bride, the love of his life, and best friend, his “Joanie”. They would marry in 1957. Later Delwin moved Blackwell Lumber Mill, Inc. to the Exeter Road in Corinth, Maine where it grew to the thriving sawmill that many remember, not only for quality lumber and exceptional customer service, but also for Delwin as the Owner and Operator. He was a 50 year member of the American Legion, a member of the Air National Guard, a member of the Olive Branch Lodge #124, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Selectman of the Town of Corinth, a lifetime member of the Corinth Volunteer Fire Department, and involved in countless other roles in his town.
Delwin loved spending summers at camp on Moosehead Lake with his family. He would take his many visitors on a boat ride and razz his granddaughters to say “punch it Martha” so he could respond with the throttle, then stay up late into the evening challenging friends and family to many rounds of Skip-Bo. When he wasn’t at camp he was exploring a new secret fishing hole somewhere off the Golden Road (exact location still unknown), planting his bountiful vegetable garden, or riding the back 40 on his tractor. Delwin and Joan enjoyed many winters in their condo in Naples, Florida where you would find him squeezing fresh orange juice, reeling in dinner for a fish fry with Donnie and Jill, playing countless games of cards, and at every spring training baseball game. He was a diehard New York Yankees fan, always asking “how about them Yankees?”, and had a wager on every game with Joan (the Red Sox Fan). He loved to travel with his family taking many trips fishing in Alaska, or on a cruise. Delwin was also a fan of Sudoku and a master at puzzles, encouraging everyone who visited him to help put in a piece or two, and in his final years the biggest fan of a chicken nugget meal.
Surviving in addition to his wife, Joan (Bickmore) Blackwell, are his daughters, Melody Dauphinee and her husband, Skeeter, of Corinth, and Kelly Blackwell, of South Portland; granddaughters, Jenna (Dauphinee) Wing and her husband, Josh, of Glenburn, and Elizabeth (Dauphinee) Keenan and her husband Jack, of Glenburn; and he was “Bub” to three special great-grandsons, Brody and Carter Wing, and AJ Keenan. In addition to his parents, Delwin was predeceased by his brother, Gareth Blackwell, Sr. and his brother-in-law, Larry DeLois. Also surviving are his sister, Christine DeLois, of Loveland, Ohio; and sister-in-law, Beverly Blackwell, of Corinth; and many nieces and nephews.
Delwin had a knack for making friends wherever he went, striking up conversation, and telling great stories. His kind, generous heart and “thumbs up” left those around him with a smile and a warmth of friendship. Until we meet again it’s, “bye now”, “10-4”, and “Adios”.
Relatives and friends are welcome to celebrate Delwin’s life on Sunday, February 26, 2023 from 2 – 4 p.m., at the Family Reception Center of Brookings-Smith, 163 Center Street, Bangor for conversation, remembrance, and sharing of memories. Those who wish to remember Delwin in a special way may make gifts in his memory to the Corinth Fire Department Association, P.O. Box 309, Corinth, ME 04427 or to the American Legion Post #115, c/o Stephen Chambers, 430 Main St., Corinth, ME 04427.
Delwin was born in Corinth, Maine on June 13, 1935, to the late Forest and Eleanor (Hanson) Blackwell. He graduated from Higgins Classical Institute in 1954. Shortly after, he started a sawmill on the family farm. While at the Blue Moon Dance at the Lagrange Town Hall he spotted his bride, the love of his life, and best friend, his “Joanie”. They would marry in 1957. Later Delwin moved Blackwell Lumber Mill, Inc. to the Exeter Road in Corinth, Maine where it grew to the thriving sawmill that many remember, not only for quality lumber and exceptional customer service, but also for Delwin as the Owner and Operator. He was a 50 year member of the American Legion, a member of the Air National Guard, a member of the Olive Branch Lodge #124, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Selectman of the Town of Corinth, a lifetime member of the Corinth Volunteer Fire Department, and involved in countless other roles in his town.
Delwin loved spending summers at camp on Moosehead Lake with his family. He would take his many visitors on a boat ride and razz his granddaughters to say “punch it Martha” so he could respond with the throttle, then stay up late into the evening challenging friends and family to many rounds of Skip-Bo. When he wasn’t at camp he was exploring a new secret fishing hole somewhere off the Golden Road (exact location still unknown), planting his bountiful vegetable garden, or riding the back 40 on his tractor. Delwin and Joan enjoyed many winters in their condo in Naples, Florida where you would find him squeezing fresh orange juice, reeling in dinner for a fish fry with Donnie and Jill, playing countless games of cards, and at every spring training baseball game. He was a diehard New York Yankees fan, always asking “how about them Yankees?”, and had a wager on every game with Joan (the Red Sox Fan). He loved to travel with his family taking many trips fishing in Alaska, or on a cruise. Delwin was also a fan of Sudoku and a master at puzzles, encouraging everyone who visited him to help put in a piece or two, and in his final years the biggest fan of a chicken nugget meal.
Surviving in addition to his wife, Joan (Bickmore) Blackwell, are his daughters, Melody Dauphinee and her husband, Skeeter, of Corinth, and Kelly Blackwell, of South Portland; granddaughters, Jenna (Dauphinee) Wing and her husband, Josh, of Glenburn, and Elizabeth (Dauphinee) Keenan and her husband Jack, of Glenburn; and he was “Bub” to three special great-grandsons, Brody and Carter Wing, and AJ Keenan. In addition to his parents, Delwin was predeceased by his brother, Gareth Blackwell, Sr. and his brother-in-law, Larry DeLois. Also surviving are his sister, Christine DeLois, of Loveland, Ohio; and sister-in-law, Beverly Blackwell, of Corinth; and many nieces and nephews.
Delwin had a knack for making friends wherever he went, striking up conversation, and telling great stories. His kind, generous heart and “thumbs up” left those around him with a smile and a warmth of friendship. Until we meet again it’s, “bye now”, “10-4”, and “Adios”.
Relatives and friends are welcome to celebrate Delwin’s life on Sunday, February 26, 2023 from 2 – 4 p.m., at the Family Reception Center of Brookings-Smith, 163 Center Street, Bangor for conversation, remembrance, and sharing of memories. Those who wish to remember Delwin in a special way may make gifts in his memory to the Corinth Fire Department Association, P.O. Box 309, Corinth, ME 04427 or to the American Legion Post #115, c/o Stephen Chambers, 430 Main St., Corinth, ME 04427.