Jerry Blaisdell grew up in Wisconsin and Minnesota, but built his life and family in Tallahassee over the past 50 years. Jerry’s life was defined by work, family, caring, and sports. He entered into rest July 9, 2024 in Tallahassee.
In his book The Nine Nations of North America, Joel Garreau claimed that the Midwest’s defining characteristic was hard work. No one epitomized this strong work ethic more than Jerry. He was happiest when he was doing something, anything! Whether it was working long hours at Harmon Glass, helping his son, Jim Blaisdell, with any number of projects, or helping one of a dozen volunteer organizations, Jerry worked. Jerry simply could not stay idle. The sign welcoming friends to his retirement party at Harmon Glass simply read “Work Horse Retires.” He transferred to Tallahassee as part of Harmon Glass to become the area manager in 1975. Under his supervision, the Tallahassee office ranked high nationally in customer service and productivity and won numerous awards including six Winner Circle Awards, two Golden Broom Awards, and a Profit Achievement Award. Jerry was also twice named Harmon Glass’s Manager of the Year.
Working 50-to-60-hour weeks with Harmon, one would think Jerry had little time for anything else. Yet, as much as work defined Jerry, family did so even more. He shared his energy and expertise with his son, Jim, and his wife’s daughter and son, Juli O’Neal Downs and John O’Neal, respectively.
Whether helping with projects when Jim was younger or helping Jim start his own successful business, Jerry gave generously of his time. Juli must have moved a dozen times; every time Jerry was there to lead the moving team. Most times he “was” the moving team.
Jerry also loved involving himself in his grandchildren’s and great grandchildren’s activities. Nicolas Blaisdell, Casey O’Neal Albrizio, Lauren Combs, Slade Downs, Raylan Combs, and Lyndon Combs all loved having Jerry in their lives, and Jerry was always available to share his love and energy.
Jerry met Onez O’Neal in the late 1980s and soon began a 10-year courtship. He finally convinced Onez to marry him in 1998 and they shared a wonderful celebration with one hundred family members and friends at the Governors Club. Together they shared over a quarter of a century ensconced in Tallahassee life. Of course, their time together was not limited to Tallahassee as they vacationed in Canada, Alaska, Hawaii, the Caribbean, Holland, Germany, Switzerland, France, Italy, Belgium, Austria, Greece, and Turkey.
Jerry and Onez found time for FSU sports. Their tailgate parties at FSU football games were legendary. In addition to locals, you could find FSU fans from South Carolina, various states in the Midwest, and even a few Gator fans. Of course, a few players’ parents would stop by including parents of Heisman Award Winner Chris Winke.
Jerry was heavily involved with Tallahassee’s Quarterback Club and served on the Board of Trustees for several years. In 1994 Jerry was one of the members who helped form The Tallahassee Quarterback Club Foundation, Inc., which annually presents the Biletnikoff Award to the nation’s most outstanding collegiate wide receiver. Fred Biletnikoff, the Hall of Fame receiver after whom the award is named, and Jerry became friends and golfing buddies.
Jerry’s love for FSU sports was not limited to football, as he had season tickets for baseball and basketball, and he and Onez went to as many women’s basketball, softball, and volleyball games as his busy schedule permitted. FSU Boosters also benefitted from Jerry’s tireless efforts to raise money. Jerry was also a Charter member of the FSU University Club.
Jerry’s contributions to associations and nonprofits were notable. He served on boards for The Salvation Army, the Glass Association of Florida, Tallahassee Builders Association, and the State of Florida Department of Juvenile Justice Advisory Council. He also was a longtime member of the Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce, American Legion, Independent Insurance Agents of Tallahassee, Springtime Tallahassee, and he was named the Associate Claims Person of the Year three times for the Tallahassee Claims Association. Jerry was a member of Wildwood Presbyterian Church where he helped feed those less fortunate during the church’s weekly dinners for the community.
Jerry’s service did not end with associations and family. Jerry entered the US Army in November,1961, and was honorably discharged in November,1963. He served at Fort Carson in Colorado and at Fort Snelling in Minnesota. He continued to serve in the Army Reserve until 1976. He cherished his Army friends and stayed in contact with members of his unit. Around 1990 they began having annual reunions and Jerry attended about twenty of these reunions in Colorado, Iowa, and Tennessee,
Jerry is survived by his wife of 25 years, Onez O’Neal; his son, Jim Blaisdell (Johanna); his children via Onez (Juli Downs (Phillip) and John O’Neal); his grandchildren (Nicolas Blaisdell, Lauren Combs, DVM (David), Slade Downs, and Casey Albrizio) (Chris); his great grandchildren, Raylan Combs and Lyndon Combs, his sister Betty Hinz, and hundreds of friends and colleagues whose lives Jerry touched.
A Celebration of Life service will be held 10:00 a.m. Friday, August 2, 2024 at Bevis Funeral Home. The family will receive friends following the service at the funeral home. Interment to follow at 12 noon at Tallahassee National Cemetery.
Susie Mozolic of Bevis Funeral Home is assisting the Blaisdell family with the arrangements. (www.bevisfh.com 850-385-2193)
Posted online on July 27, 2024
Published in Tallahasse Democrat
