Born and raised in Seattle, Mr. Blethen attended Lakeside School and graduated from the University of Washington. He was such a Husky fan that he and his youngest daughter, Courtney, would go to every Husky home game. Mr. Blethen is the son of former Seattle Times Publisher John Blethen and cousin of Times Publisher Frank Blethen. He worked at The Times from 1973 to 1989, rising to the position of national advertising manager, until his illness forced his retirement. Mr. Blethen also served on The Seattle Times Board of Directors and on the Blethen Corporation Board of Directors.
US Army Korea
Marriage Notes for Stephen Robert Blethen and Stephanie WASSON
ROCHESTER — Richard Wasson and Lori Levesque of Rochester are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter, Stephanie Wasson, to Stephen Blethen, son of Ray Blethen and Trish Pellegrino of Bow.
Miss Wasson graduated from Keene State College and Plymouth State University. She is currently employed as a teacher.
Mr. Blethen graduated from The University of New Hampshire. He is currently employed as a store manager with Toys-R-Us.
An Oct. 4 wedding is planned.
John Blethen
(Nov 22): Rockland -- John Blethen, 82, a retired Research Chemist, died Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2001 at Penobscot Bay Medical Center, Rockport after a brief illness.
Born in Bath, May 18, 1919, he was the son of John, Sr. and Minnie MacDougal Blethen. Educated in local schools, he was a 1937 graduate of Rockland High School.
After completing two years of studies at the University of Maine, Orono, he enlisted in the United States Army Air Corp and served with the Air Corps during World War II. While home on leave, June 22, 1944, he married Ruth E. Gregory in Rockland. After his discharge, the Blethens lived for a brief time in Rockland before moving to Orono, where Mr. Blethen completed his studies at the University of Maine, graduating in 1948.
After residing in Waterbury, Vt for a time, they moved to Myerstown, Pa., where he was employed for eight years with Whitmoyer Laboratories.
In 1959, he returned to Rockland, taking a position as a research chemist with Marine Colloids. In 1983, he retired from full-time employment with FMC, Rockland, but continued as a consultant until 1989.
Mr. Bletehen had an inventive mind, and held three patents related to food processing.
He particularly enjoyed pursuing his life-long hobby of painting, drawing, and reading. He enjoyed creating cartoons for church, friends and family. Since his retirement, he has traveled with his wife to Kenya to visit daughter Joyce and family, as well as a trip to the Pacific Northwest, with a group of Rockland friends.
For 15 years, he served on the Advisory Board of the Rockland Public Library and for several years as chairman of that Board.
He was a longtime member of the First Baptist Church of Rockland.
Besides his wife of 57 years, Mr. Blethen is survived by two sons, William J. Bletehen and his wife Susan of Falmouth, Rand J. Blethen of Miami, Fla.; three daughters, Janice B. Cramer and her husband Lyle of Westbrook, Johnna B. Brazier of Holden, Joyce A. Raychard of Buxton; two sisters, Jacqueline Blethen, Grace Azevedo both of Rockland; nine grandchildren, Brian and Bruce Cramer, J. Cressica and Shireen Brazier, Bethany, Gregory and Kara Raychard, Deven and Andrew Blethen and one nephew, Michael Azevedo.
Visiting hours will be held from 6 to 8 p.m., Friday, Nov. 23, 2001, at the Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock St., Rockland, where a celebration of life will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday. Wayne C. Raychard will officiate. Interment will follow in the Achorn Cemetery, Old County Road, Rockland.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to either the Friends of the Rockland Public Library, P.O. Box 764, Rockland or New England Bible College, P.O. Box 2886, South Portland, 04116.
Ruth “Greg” Evelyn Gregory Blethen, 87, from Hollis, Maine, on June 12, 2004. B.S. in education and a member of the Education Club and honor societies Phi Kappa Phi and Kappa Delta Pi. She was employed as a math teacher at Madison High School and Thornton Academy and was mainly a homemaker, raising five children. She was a board member and worker for the Knox County Community Concerts and a member of the First Baptist Church of Rockland where she volunteered as a clerk at the First Baptist Book Store for many years. She enjoyed sailing, swimming, cross-country skiing, and traveling.
ROCKLAND - Ruth Gregory Blethen, 87, died peacefully Saturday, June 12, 2004, after a brief illness at the home of her daughter in Hollis, surrounded by her family.
Born January 5, 1917, at Glen Cove in Rockport, she was the daughter of William W. and Lottie Oxton Gregory. Educated in local schools, she was a graduate of Rockland High School, class of 1934 and a 1939 graduate of University of Maine at Orono
June 22, 1944, she married John Blethen in Rockland. During the early years of their marriage, Mrs. Blethen resided with her husband in Waterbury, VT and for 8 years in Myerstown, PA. They returned to Rockland in 1959.
She taught school in Rockland, Fort Kent, Madison High School and at Thornton Academy in Saco.
A lifelong member of First Baptist Church of Rockland, for several years she was president of the Ladies Outreach and served 23 years as a volunteer clerk at the First Baptist Bookstore.
She was a member of Friends of Rockland Public Library and Friends of Rockland Breakwater Light. For many years she was an active board member of Knox County Community Concerts Association.
Her lifelong passion was sailing. Throughout her life she went on 18 schooner cruises. Her first was in 1942 aboard the Mattie (now Grace Bailey) and since 1990 has included the Nathaniel Bowditch, Heritage and Victory Chimes. On May 29, 2004 she sailed with family on the Isaac Evans cruise to benefit the Rockland Public Library.
She also enjoyed skiing, traveling and walking to the Rockland Breakwater Light.
In later years, and prior to her husband’s death November 21, 2001, she enjoyed going out with a group of friend’s known as the “Old Gang”.
Mrs. Blethen is survived by two sons, William J. and his wife Susan of Falmouth, Rand J. of Miami; three daughters, Janice Cramer and her husband Lyle of Westbrook, Johnna B. Brazier of Dedham, Joyce A. Raychard and her husband Wayne of Hollis; her sister, Edna Rollins of Camden; nine grandchildren Brian and Bruce Cramer, J. Cressica and Shireen Brazier, Bethany, Gregory and Kara Raychard, Deven and Andrew Blethen as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Friends and relatives are invited to visit from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Tuesday at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland. A Celebration of Mrs. Blethen’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, June 16, 2004 at the First Baptist Church of Rockland, 215 Limerock Street, Rockland. Pastors Wayne C. Raychard and Gabriel Rogers will officiate. Burial will follow in Achorn Cemetery, Old County Road, Rockland. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to New England Bible College, P.O. Box 2886, South Portland, Maine 04116, or First Baptist Church of Rockland, 215 Limerock St, Rockland, Maine 04841.
Carolyn was brought up in Winterport before marrying her husband, David, and moving to Frankfort, where they raised their family and lived for more than 44 years.
Carolyn later moved to Brooks into a smaller, cozy home to be near Renee and Steve, who took wonderful care of her. She worked for the U.S. Postal Service as a relief postmaster, but more importantly worked as a tireless mother and homemaker.
Carolyn was famous for her immaculate home that was once referred to as “museum quality.” She enjoyed gardening, flowers, cardinals, weekly visits with Darcy playing Scrabble and cribbage, which Carolyn looked forward to, and spending time with her family.
Carolyn will be remembered for her sense of humor and as a loving mother, grandmother, sister and friend to all.