R. William Blasdale

Bill grew up in Mattapoisett and at 15 years old he met Mary Jean Schmidt. After graduation from high school at Tabor Academy and college at Princeton University, he and Mary Jean married and eventually settled in Mattapoisett to raise their family. In the 65 years they shared together they raised two children, Spencer and Amy, and supported two grandchildren, Avery and Hadley.

Although he was involved in countless community and business leadership positions he made decisions based on prioritizing family. He was a Lion’s Club member and served as town selectman from 1975-1981. In a letter to the town in 1981 he explained his decision to step down: “One’s responsibility as a husband and father come first. Public service comes second.” He found a less time-demanding way to continue his service and was elected town moderator from 1981-2003. He was known for his diplomacy, wit and ability to build consensus in these town roles. With his self-deprecating humor he reflected that, “My greatest contribution to the town was a sewage system. What a legacy.”

Bill held a life-long commitment to citizen democracy and reminded us that citizenship bestows rights but also demands responsibility, especially for the health and education of all. He led by example, helping to found the Southcoast Community Foundation and serving on the board of Southcoast Health System, Southcoast Hospitals Group, and Southcoast Physicians Group. Bill’s dedication to his high school, Tabor Academy, was exemplified through his service on the Board of Trustees from 1982 to 2014, including his tenure as Board Chair from 1991 to 2006. “He was,” as Former Head of School Jay Stroud described, “as dependable and as essential to Tabor life as the tides themselves. Bill’s wisdom, profound common sense, and extraordinary sense of balance and proportion helped our Board become the engine for change and growth that characterized the more than two decades we worked together.”

Bill’s professional career was divided into “Act 1 and Act 2” as he would say. He served as President and CEO of Julius Koch, USA in New Bedford, a company that manufactures textiles. After 28 years at Julius Koch, he went back to school, became a certified financial planner (CFP) and co-founded Seamark Financial with Lynne Nahigyan in 1996. He served as President of Seamark for 28 years before retiring in June.

His memory will be cherished, his contributions celebrated, and his spirit acknowledged as a beacon of citizenship, generosity, thoughtful leadership, warm-hearted concern, and gracious care.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Jean, his daughter, Amy Blasdale-Cushing and spouse Brad Cushing of Melbourne Beach, Fl, his son, Spencer Blasdale and spouse Nell Blasdale of Milton, MA and his granddaughters Avery and Hadley.

The family will hold a Celebration of Bill's life on Saturday, May 31, 2025 at 1:00PM in the Wickenden Chapel at Tabor Academy in Marion. Please refer to www.waring-sullivan.com for updated service information and to place an online tribute. Donations in his memory can be made to The Southcoast Community Foundation. Arrangements are in the care of the Waring-Sullivan Home at Fairlawn.