Albert Jay Blackburn, III

Albert J. Blackburn, III, “Jay”, age 79, of Weare, NH, formerly of Wilmington, passed away on December 1, 2022.

Jay was born on January 17, 1943, in Tampa, FL; he was the son of the late Albert and Gertrude (Ellis) Blackburn.  Jay grew up in Wilmington and graduated from Wilmington High School in 1961.

Following graduation, Jay enlisted in the U.S. Army on August 7, 1964.  He served overseas in Germany for more than a year before returning home.  Jay was transferred to the Army reserves on July 28, 1966 and returned home to his family.

As a teenager, Jay met Kathleen (Quandt) Blackburn; they were high school sweethearts and were married on May 20, 1967. Jay and Kathleen settled in Wilmington, where they raised their children, Christine, Andrew, and Jeffrey.  Jay and Kathleen spent many wonderful years together before her passing in 2002.

Jay worked as a salesman for IBM for many years; his quick wit and warm personality earned him many friends in the industry.  Jay enjoyed his job and retired after many years.  After retiring, Jay learned that he couldn’t stay home so he took a warehouse position at UPS, where he worked through many busy seasons.

In his spare time, Jay loved to head to the golf course with his friends.  He enjoyed socializing after the game and spending time with his friends.  Jay also loved being at the camp in Moultonboro, NH and spending time at the lake with his family and friends. 

Jay will be remembered as a loving husband, Dad, and “Grandpa”.

Jay was the beloved husband of the late Kathleen C. (Quandt) Blackburn, devoted father of Christine Kroken & her husband Randy of ME, Andrew Blackburn & his wife Donna of Weare, NH, and the late Jeffrey Blackburn, loving “Grandpa” of Brooke and Joshua, dear brother of Robert Blackburn & his wife Marion of Florida and David Blackburn & his wife Lisa of Amesbury.  Jay is also survived by his son-in-law Jim Riccio, as well as many loving nieces and nephews.

Family and friends will gather for Visitation at the Nichols Funeral Home, Inc., 187 Middlesex Ave., (Rte. 62), Wilmington on Thursday, December 8thfrom 4:00-7:00 p.m.  A Funeral Service will be held at the Funeral Home on Friday, December 9th at 11:00 a.m.  Interment with Military Honors will follow in Wildwood Cemetery, Wilmington.

Memorial donations in Jay’s name may be made to Local Heroes, P.O. Box 536, Wilmington, MA  01887.