GEORGE BLAGDEN

BLAGDEN, George 85, of the Huntington at Nashua, NH, former resident of Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA and Blue Hill, ME, died August 9, 2017, in Nashua, NH. George was born October 6, 1931, in New York City to Edward Sampson Blagden and Lois Whitney Martin, and grew up in Huntington, Long Island, NY. George, affectionately known as "G," is survived by Josephine ("Jody") Blagden, his loving wife of 61 years; their son Timothy Blagden and his wife Kristen Riley; daughter Julia Whitney Blagden Emby and her husband Christopher JS Emby; grandchildren Tucker Blagden and his wife Katie, Margo Blagden, Andrew Blagden and Katherine Blagden; numerous nieces and nephews, extended family, and friends to whom he remained devoted. The youngest of four children, George is predeceased by his half-sisters Sarah ("Sarita") Blagden Choate, Emma Ely Blagden, and his brother Edward ("Dan") Blagden. George attended The Green Vale school, Pomfret School, and graduated from Harvard in 1953. He was a first lieutenant in the US Marine Corps through 1954-1955. During a sailing excursion in Blue Hill, Maine, he met and immediately fell in love with Josephine Cutler Stearns Swan, who was summering in the area. The two wed on August 25, 1956, in Blue Hill, Maine; they spent the next 60+ summers at "Kalmia Knoll," their home overlooking the beach where they first met. George worked in the investment advisory industry for White Weld in New York, then Colonial Management, the Collins Agency and Fiduciary Trust in Boston. George was a lifelong learner, advocate for education, lover of all sport, and ever a gentleman. He was also a tinkerer and fixed everything from hats to houses with bits of sailing twine and other repurposed materials. A sailor from the age of 5, he shared and passed on his love of the sea to many. G built a little boat called the "Tiny Tim" for his son Tim (then 3), which to this day still inspires the sailing careers of generations of Blagden family and friends. He took a daily dip in Blue Hill Bay for 61 summers, played hockey into his 60s, and enjoyed backgammon, tennis and croquet throughout his life. He was a nationally ranked American 6-wicket croquet player with contagious passion for the game. He both played to win and provided instruction to any newcomer or competitor looking to improve. George was honored by the Blue Hill Country Club for a lifetime of good sportsmanship. George was a member for many years of the Manchester Yacht Club, Manchester Harbor Boat Club, Manchester Athletic Club, Kollegewidgewok Yacht Club, Blue Hill Country Club, the Fly Club of Harvard, US Croquet Association, and was a founding member of the Prides Beach Association. He was past treasurer of Shore Country Day School, and supported youth sailing in Manchester, MA and Blue Hill, ME. George requested no formal funeral service. A celebration of his life will take place at the Manchester Yacht Club, 15 Tucks Point Road, Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA on September 17, 2017, from 11 am - 2 pm. (Business casual attire; no high heels.) In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Manchester Sailing Association or the youth sailing association of your choice.

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