Zippo mourns the passing of founding family’s Sarah Blaisdell Dorn

January 12,2016 - Zippo announces the passing of Sarah Blaisdell Dorn, one of the long-time owners of the company. She was the daughter of Zippo founder George B. Blaisdell and the mother of current owner George B. Duke. Sarah Dorn died on January 10, 2016 after a brief illness. She was 88 years old.

Zippo President and CEO Greg Booth made this statement on behalf of all Zippo employees: “The entire Zippo family is saddened about the news of Sarah Dorn’s death. Along with her sister, Harriett, her involvement with the company started at the very beginning when their father, George Blaisdell, started the company. Sarah played a vital role in the growth and success of Zippo. She was also a big booster for Bradford, Pennsylvania and made countless contributions to many community organizations to help improve the lives of the people who lived in her hometown. Zippo will very much miss Sarah and she will be forever remembered by those who knew and loved her.”

Born November 22, 1927, in Buffalo, she is the daughter of the late George G. and Miriam (Barcroft) Blaisdell.  On April 23, 1981, in the Episcopal Church of the Ascension in Bradford, she married Richard B. Dorn who survives.

She was a 1945 graduate of Bradford High School. She received her Bachelor of Arts from Connecticut College and later graduated from Katherine Gibbs Business Academy in New York City.

Sarah was actively involved with Zippo operations beginning in the early 1950s. Sarah and her sister Harriett B. Wick assumed ownership after the death of their father in 1978. Sarah served as Vice President and Treasurer on the Board of Directors of Zippo Manufacturing Company until her retirement. She maintained a seat on the Board of Directors until the time of her death.

Sarah was a member of the Board of Directors for many charitable organizations which supported health, welfare, social and leisure programs in and around Bradford. Sarah was especially proud to serve on the Board of Directors of the Philo and Sarah Blaisdell Foundation, which her father established in December of 1950.  Through the Blaisdell Foundation, Sarah and Harriett established the Miriam Barcroft Blaisdell Scholarship which supports scholarships for 65 students annually.  In 1993, Sarah received the Presidential Medal of Distinction from the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford for her longtime support of the University. Her memberships included the Pennhills Club and the Bradford Club.

Surviving in addition to her husband Richard is one son, George B. (Rita Walters) Duke Sr.; one sister, Harriett Blaisdell (the late Robert H.) Wick; two grandchildren, Grant B. (Shane Baker) Duke and Sarah Duke; two step grandchildren, Kara Close and Beau Close; one nephew D. Blaise (Ann Anderson) Wick and Barbara Wick (Richard) Kearney; four step children, Missy (John) Warner, Terry Dorn, Mac (Lauri) Dorn, and Bruce (Carol) Dorn; six step grandchildren and three step great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her first husband Paul C. Duke Jr., her second husband Thomas Blauser, one son Paul C. Duke III who died September 28, 2005, one grandson George B. Duke Jr., who died November 13, 2015, and one nephew Michael Quinn Wick who died October 16, 2005.  Burial will be in Willow Dale Cemetery, Bradford.