Thomas James Blaisdell, 90, died early the morning of Monday, Feb. 13, 2017, at home with his family and his cat, Tony.

Tom was born south of Bradford on Aug. 5, 1926, to Ray and Julia (Cooney) Blaisdell. He attended a one-room schoolhouse and graduated from Bradford High. While War II raged, he enlisted as an aviation cadet and subsequently trained as an aerial engineer assigned as a dock chief over crews working on B-29 aircraft.

Sergeant Blaisdell was with the 20th Air Force and spent two years in the military while serving in Saipan, Tinian and on a base near Manila. In May 2011, almost 65 years after his discharge, he was proud to be a part of the military veterans Honor Flight to Washington, D.C.

He married Mary Dorothy Real on Oct. 9, 1948, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, where he was a life-long member. Tom and his Mary were married 66 years, and throughout his life he often marveled that she had chosen HIM. She preceded him in death on Feb. 17, 2015. His parents, two sisters and two brothers also preceded him.

Tom took great pride in his family that includes four children, Ann (Patrick) Rothery of St. Louis, Mo., Mary Lynne (Bud) Herman of Homer Glen, and Kathleen (James) Hewitt and James (Cheryl) Blaisdell of Bradford; 10 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren, with one due in July. He is also survived by his brother, Robert Blaisdell of Tulsa, Okla.

Tom farmed his entire life and generously shared the harvest of his apple orchard and large garden with his neighbors. He was a member of the Illinois Farm Bureau and a leader of the Milo Ag 4-H Club. He was an avid sports fan and helped to organize softball teams for the girls of Bradford during the 1960s. Always one of the loudest cheerleaders in the stands, he enjoyed watching his children and grandchildren participate in their many athletic contests.