Jonathan L. Blackwell ’72

Jonathan Lee Blackwell of Shapleigh, aged 72, died peacefully with his family by his side on October 1, 2021 at Maine Medical Center in Portland.

Jon, as he preferred to be called, was born on April 8, 1949, in Portland to Kenneth and Marion (Crockett) Blackwell. He attended Sanford High School and Maine Maritime Academy, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Marine Engineering in 1972. Jon was employed as an Engineering Officer aboard oil tankers for Mobil (later ExxonMobil) Corporation for 43 years. He was also a lieutenant in the U.S. Naval Reserve, receiving an honorable discharge in 1983. He loved the sea and his work for ExxonMobil took him to many different places on the globe. He also loved hosting and attending large family gatherings. He retired in 2016.

Jon was a member of St. George’s Church in Sanford for most of his life.

He is survived by his sister, Juliana (Blackwell) Ackley of Buxton, his brother Joseph Blackwell and his wife Eve Blackwell of Waterville, nephews Kevin and Jack Ackley of Buxton, niece Marion (Blackwell) Holmes of Brockton, MA, and a great-niece and great-nephew, Arya and Kenneth Holmes, also of Brockton, MA. He was pre-deceased by his brother-in-law Douglas Ackley.