Donald M. Bisset, 84, of Jefferson, retired state fire marshal, passed away at home on Nov. 26.
He was born May 21, 1926 in Blue Hill to Harold and Alice Bisset. Don was finishing his junior year in high school when he turned 18 and was drafted in June into active participation in WW II.
He received basic training in Georgia, then immediately overseas to Germany, Czechoslovakia, Bavaria, and finally at war’s end, back to Ft. Campbell, Ky. from where he was eventually mustered out. He was in active combat zones during his European time, advancing from Private 3rd Class to Corporal in a short time. He received a Bronze Star Medal for bravery.
During his time at Fort Campbell he brought his zest for living and his spirit of fun to his assignments as camp bugler and camp cook.
Once back in Blue Hill, Don became licensed for plumbing and heating and worked for Babson & Duffy Plumbing and Heating. It was during these years that he became a local “townie” golf champ, a scuba diver, and developed an active interest in photography. Together with his good friends he built fireworks which were used for huge fireworks displays each year at Blue Hill Fair, which soon branched out to include several shows a year at various places. They later incorporated into Blue Hill Pyrotechnics, which was sold when Don moved to Jefferson.
He loved to hunt and fish with his buddies and loved his annual hunting trips with them and their sons.
He became a State Fire Inspector in 1955 with office in Augusta. He was required to live in the district to which he was assigned for the next several years, but usually spent his weekends in Blue Hill.
At 36 he quit his job with the state, enrolled full time at UMO, and graduated with a BS in Education four years later. He married Joyce, the love of his life, in June 1966 upon his graduation from college and they bought their first home in Blue Hill. He was reemployed as a State Fire Inspector in that same summer, later promoted to Plans Examiner, and in 1975 was appointed State Fire Marshal. By then he had earned a Master’s Degree in Public Administration. He completed career related instruction at the Maine Criminal Justice Academy and Rutgers University.
Following his retirement in 1981 from state service, Don pursued a lifetime desire to be a lobsterman. Don spent several years as a sternman on the Bridgett C., skippered by his son Rob. Don also served a term as Selectman in Jefferson.
He is predeceased by his parents, Alice and Harold Bisset of Blue Hill; and brother, Virgil Bisset of Brewer.
Don is survived by Joyce, his beloved wife of 44 years; children, Foster Blake III and wife Cindy of Gorham, daughter, Paula and husband Robert Wareheim of Waldoboro, son, Robert Bisset and wife Kristi of Jefferson; grandchildren, Sarah, Erin, Robert Wareheim of Waldoboro, Foster Blake IV and Melissa Blake of Gorham, Lillian, Madelyn, Natalie, and William Bisset of Jefferson; cousins, Peggy Robertson of Blue Hill and Walter Bisset of Ellsworth; sister, Ferol and husband Ronald Candage of Ormand Beach, Fla.; nephews, Jeffrey Candage, Timothy and wife Cathy Candage, and Barry Candage, of Florida; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Marshall and Phyllis Beede of Beaumont, Cal.; and lifelong friend Fernald Robertson of Blue Hill.
Relatives and friends are invited to join the family to celebrate Don’s life at a funeral 1 p.m., Sat. Dec. 4 in Waldoboro at the Waldoboro First Baptist Church which is located on Rt. 1, next driveway north of Moody’s Diner parking lot, just before the overpass. There will be a reception following the service at Jefferson Volunteer Fire Department.
Should friends so desire, in lieu of flowers, kindly donate in Don’s memory to your local fire department, or the charity of your choice.
Arrangements are under the direction of Smeltzer Family Cremation and Funeral Service, Waldoboro.
