John Blackford

1929 - 2025

John Blackford

Exeter, NH - John Blackford, 95, of Exeter, NH passed away peacefully on April 14, 2025, surrounded by his loving family while within the close-knit care of the Riverwoods Retirement community in Exeter.

John was born in Eldorado Ohio. He attended Purdue University to study electrical engineering. After a stint at Reliance Electric, he enlisted in the Air Force where he was stationed at Andrews AFB. Following the Air Force, he attended Harvard Business School where he graduated with an MBA.

Instead of joining a large corporation, John went to work for Hosmer Machine Company; a small manufacturer of sawmill equipment in Contoocook NH. He eventually became President of the renamed HMC corporation and produced equipment for modular sawmills in the US and abroad. In the 1980s he switched to small business consulting and continued working as a consultant long after the usual retirement age - going on to serve as a board member for Cirtronics into his 95th year. John was active in supporting The Concord Music School, NH Public Radio, NH Charitable Fund and the NH Symphony as a donor and Board Member.

John was predeceased by his wife, Pam, in 2023. He is survived by his two sons; Tom and Paul, his daughter; Susan Blackford, MD and six grandchildren. Music was a common thread in John's life. As a young father he enjoyed playing guitar and singing with his three children. At 75, he returned to the guitar and, in his nineties, began performing with Kent Allyn and Peggo Hodes as the "Bluebirds". He was singing with Kent and Peggo just a few days before he passed. There will be no calling hours. A celebration of John's life will take place at the Riverwoods in Exeter on May 31at 1pm.