Wayne Elwin Blaisdell

Wayne Elwin Blaisdell, 90, of Morrisville, VT passed away after a brief illness in “his own flat bed” at his home on March 26, 2024 with his family by his side.

He was born in East Randolph, VT on February 1, 1934 to Florence Marshall Cole and Elwin Hezekiah Blaisdell. They had a farm with horses, goats and cattle. He moved to Stowe in 1945 with his mother and graduated from Stowe High School in 1952. 

When he was 16 yrs old he started working at Mt. Mansfield Garage pumping gas at the corner of routes 100 and 108 in Stowe. He went on to become a mechanic and continued to work there for 33 yrs.   

Seventy two years ago, he met his wife, Betty Lou Williams of Morrisville and they married on September 17, 1955. They moved to Morrisville and  had two sons, Wayne Jr. ( Joe) and Timothy. They enjoyed 68 years of marriage, going to dances and on many trips with their friends looking for wreckers, trucks and tractors.

For many years in the fall, Wayne would take time off from work to trap muskrat, mink, and fox to provide for his family when it was more profitable. He was a member of the Vermont Trappers Association for many years. He passed on this knowledge to his sons, especially Joe.

In the mid 60's, Wayne and the family raised 35 head of Herefords for beef on the small farm in Morrisville and enjoyed snowmobiling when the boys were little.

Wayne and Betty started Wayne's Wrecker Service in 1964 while still at Mt. Mansfield Garage. He built his own wreckers in the basement and garage.  Wayne was proud of the fact that in 1972, he had the first flatbed tow truck in Lamoille County. He was well known in the community for his unique way of asking anyone that was in the ditch and needed a tow, “Now, what in the %$#* are you doing down there, the #$%&#$ road is up here, you should've stayed home!” He showed no favoritism in this education. They continued the business until 2012 and the last big wrecker was sold in 2018.

He was a founding member of the VT Towing Association in 1988, holding the office of vice president until 2002 and was their treasurer for 17 years after that. He was recognized as a Nationally Certified Tow Operator.  Wayne, along with fellow members, was a big part in the passing of the Move Over Law and getting signage on the interstate.

Wayne was an honorary member of the Morrisville Fire Dept. and Stowe Fire Dept. for his towing assistance when needed on calls.

One of Wayne's passions was car racing. In the late 50's -early 60's he built and owned car # 55 at Northeast Race Track in Waterford, VT and Thunder Road in Barre, VT. He was always watching NASCAR racing on Saturdays and Sundays. 

He was always seen out  mowing the lawn on one of his many Wheel Horse tractors that he collected and loved to tinker on. He shared this passion with his son Tim, and they traveled every year to the Wheel Horse Collectors Club Show in Pennsylvania, where they enjoyed one of  Wayne's favorite treats, ice cream. 

No matter where he was, what time of day, or who he was with, it was always a priority to find a creemee and hotdog stand and if you happen to pass by one, a turn around would be required. He started his day with a banana, orange juice and a homemade donut from Hastings store.

Wayne always loved animals, especially his beloved rottweiler, appropriately named “Hooker”. You would spot Hooker on the passenger seat of the wrecker or flatbed to provide assistance if needed. They would lay out on the cool lawn or sit in the shade of the garage enjoying a creemee together. 

He is survived by his wife Betty, son Wayne Jr.(Joe) and friend Elaine of Morrisville, son Timothy and wife Andrea of Johnson, his grandson Bradley of Hyde Park, granddaughter Tammi Jo and two great grandchildren, Colten and Delaney. He also leaves a brother, Theron of Burlington, VT and a sister Janet and her husband Louis Roy of Waterbury, VT.

Wayne did not like crowds and did not want any services. The family will gather at a later date. Donations can be made, in memory of Wayne and his dog “Hooker”, to Justice For Dogs, 1014 N Wolcott Rd., Wolcott, VT 05680 or to Lamoille Home Health and Hospice, 54 Farr Ave., Morrisville, VT 05661 for their care and kindness in Wayne's last week at home. 

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