Obituary for Carl Omar Blackington
SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT
ROCKLAND – A time of visitation and remembrance for Carl Omar Blackington, 92, who passed away March 8, 2020, will be held from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., Wednesday, October 7, 2020 at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland.
ROCKLAND – Carl Omar Blackington, 92, passed away at Quarry Hill in Camden, Sunday, March 8, 2020.
Born in Rockland, October 27, 1927 to Charles and Florence (Hart) Blackington, he was raised locally and educated in local schools. He graduated from Rockland High School as a member of the class of 1946.
On September 5, 1959 he married Kathryn Belle Curry in Thomaston and together they enjoyed 48 years of marriage before she passed away on July 9, 2007.
For many years he owned and operated Blackington Dairy on Old County Road before selling the business in 1964.
Blackington Dairy was the last retail dairy to operate in Rockland that ran a house to house delivery route.
After taking a year off, Carl began employment at the Maine State Prison working his way to Sergeant in charge of cell blocks.
In 1975 Carl began a program supervising five inmates who were taking a course at the Augusta Mental Health Institute (AMHI) titled ‘Introduction to Mental Health’ and Carl decided to complete the study himself.
After completing the course, he continued in a supervisory position, guiding those five inmates on their work details at AMHI.
In the years 1971 through 1977 he worked with the Penobscot Bay Medical Center’s Mental Health Department as a Psychiatric Technician.
In 1977 Carl returned to the Maine State Prison, working at the prison farm in South Warren.
After retiring in July of 1986, he continued to work part time escorting contractors who were working on prison renovation projects.
During his life Carl not only served as a Rockland City Council member from 1958 to 1961, but was also a longtime Mason and member of the Aurora Lodge of Masons #50.
His involvement with the Masons lead him to become past president of the Knox County Shrine Club, a life member of the Mid-Coast Shrine Club, a 32 degree Scottish Rite Mason, a member of the Kora Temple Shrine, and in the late 1950’s served for several years as Potentates Ambassador to the State Shrine.
Carl was an honorary life member of the Rockland Lodge of Elks and served as Exalted Ruler in 1957. He was also past District Deputy and served as a Trustee for 9 years.
A highlight of his service with the Elks was when he became the first one to be voted as ‘Elk of the Year’ in 1963.
Predeceased by his wife Kathryn, and his brother Ernest, he is survived by his daughter, Lisa Bengtsson and her husband Christopher of Rockport, and his grandson, William Bengtsson of Rockport; his nephew Dennis Blackington of Arizona; his niece Deanne Blackington of New Hampshire; and his special friend Rebecca Jones of Jefferson.
A Celebration of Carl’s life will be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday, March 28, 2020 at Aldersgate Methodist Church, 15 Wesley Lane, in Rockland, where had been a longtime member.
ROCKLAND – A time of visitation and remembrance for Carl Omar Blackington, 92, who passed away March 8, 2020, will be held from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., Wednesday, October 7, 2020 at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland.
ROCKLAND – Carl Omar Blackington, 92, passed away at Quarry Hill in Camden, Sunday, March 8, 2020.
Born in Rockland, October 27, 1927 to Charles and Florence (Hart) Blackington, he was raised locally and educated in local schools. He graduated from Rockland High School as a member of the class of 1946.
On September 5, 1959 he married Kathryn Belle Curry in Thomaston and together they enjoyed 48 years of marriage before she passed away on July 9, 2007.
For many years he owned and operated Blackington Dairy on Old County Road before selling the business in 1964.
Blackington Dairy was the last retail dairy to operate in Rockland that ran a house to house delivery route.
After taking a year off, Carl began employment at the Maine State Prison working his way to Sergeant in charge of cell blocks.
In 1975 Carl began a program supervising five inmates who were taking a course at the Augusta Mental Health Institute (AMHI) titled ‘Introduction to Mental Health’ and Carl decided to complete the study himself.
After completing the course, he continued in a supervisory position, guiding those five inmates on their work details at AMHI.
In the years 1971 through 1977 he worked with the Penobscot Bay Medical Center’s Mental Health Department as a Psychiatric Technician.
In 1977 Carl returned to the Maine State Prison, working at the prison farm in South Warren.
After retiring in July of 1986, he continued to work part time escorting contractors who were working on prison renovation projects.
During his life Carl not only served as a Rockland City Council member from 1958 to 1961, but was also a longtime Mason and member of the Aurora Lodge of Masons #50.
His involvement with the Masons lead him to become past president of the Knox County Shrine Club, a life member of the Mid-Coast Shrine Club, a 32 degree Scottish Rite Mason, a member of the Kora Temple Shrine, and in the late 1950’s served for several years as Potentates Ambassador to the State Shrine.
Carl was an honorary life member of the Rockland Lodge of Elks and served as Exalted Ruler in 1957. He was also past District Deputy and served as a Trustee for 9 years.
A highlight of his service with the Elks was when he became the first one to be voted as ‘Elk of the Year’ in 1963.
Predeceased by his wife Kathryn, and his brother Ernest, he is survived by his daughter, Lisa Bengtsson and her husband Christopher of Rockport, and his grandson, William Bengtsson of Rockport; his nephew Dennis Blackington of Arizona; his niece Deanne Blackington of New Hampshire; and his special friend Rebecca Jones of Jefferson.
A Celebration of Carl’s life will be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday, March 28, 2020 at Aldersgate Methodist Church, 15 Wesley Lane, in Rockland, where had been a longtime member.