Dalton A. Blodgett

July 5, 1935 - October 8, 2018

Dalton A. Blodgett of Londonderry, NH died on October 8, 2018. Dalton was born on July 5, 1935, in Rockingham, VT to Stanley C. and Ola (Allen) Blodgett. Dalton grew up in Claremont, NH and graduated from Stevens High School. He attended Keene State College and graduated with a Bachelors’ Degree in Education. He later earned his Masters’ Degree in School Administration from Rivier College. Dalton was an avid Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots fan. He loved marching bands and he delighted in practical jokes his entire life. Except for orange soda, his favorite beverage was a pine tree float. Dalton’s passion was serving the students, parents, and staff of Hudson Memorial School and the Town of Hudson, NH. Before his remarkable career in education, Dalton worked for a funeral home and as an Ambulance Driver. Understanding that he had a different calling, Dalton began teaching at Dr. H.O. Smith School. During his 37-year tenure with the Hudson School District, Dalton was an English, Music Appreciation, and Social Studies teacher, the Social Studies Department Chair at HMS, the first Athletic Director at HMS, the Director of Intramurals for HMS, a middle school baseball coach, school bus routes coordinator, scoreboard operator for Alvirne High School Basketball games, chaperone for the 8th Grade class trip, and referee for many intramural and athletic events. Dalton’s dedication to Hudson and the students of HMS extended far beyond the school day. He served as the part-time Hudson Recreation Director for a decade. In that role, he worked countless hours to provide opportunities for local children to engage in supervised play activities including: supervising the town pool, creating and developing the Recreation Basketball Program, supervising and developing the Summer Recreation Program, and refereeing weekend athletic events. For 21 years after retiring from the Hudson School District, Dalton compiled over 1,000 hours of volunteer time each year to the HMS community without missing a day. In recognition of his service, Dalton was presented with the Volunteer of the Year Award at the Annual New Hampshire Partners in Education Blue Ribbon Awards Ceremony in 2008, and in 2017 HMS dedicated the annual “Dalton A. Blodgett Award for Civic Action and Responsibility.” Dalton is survived by his twin sister, Darlene (Blodgett) LaPlante, his nieces Raelene LaPlante and Alison (David) Schoales, and his great-niece Molly Schoales. He also leaves many friends and his Hudson Memorial School family. Dalton’s kind, gentle, and giving nature combined with his passion and dedication to his calling in life earned him the honor and respect of an entire community. He will be deeply missed. Visiting hours will be on Thursday, October 11th from 4:00pm to 7:00pm in the Dumont-Sullivan Funeral Home, 50 Ferry St. in Hudson. A graveside service will be at Oak Hill Cemetery in Bellows Falls, VT on October 12 at 11:00am. All may meet at the cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to a scholarship fund which is being established in Dalton’s memory. Checks should be payable to The Dalton A. Blodgett Scholarship Fund and mailed to Raelene LaPlante, P.O. Box 704, Wilder, VT 05088.