A Legacy of Showing Up

Honoring the Volunteers Who Gave So Much

March 17, 2026

There are some people who don’t just volunteer.

They become part of the fabric.

They are the familiar faces at practice, the steady presence on the sidelines, the ones who show up early, stay late, and somehow make everyone feel like they matter just a little bit more.

Recently, our Special Olympics New Hampshire community said goodbye to two of those people. Two volunteers whose impact cannot be measured in hours or years alone, but in the lives they touched, the confidence they built, and the joy they helped create.

Uncle Willie: A Champion of Every Moment

For more than 15 years, Willie Blaisdell—known lovingly to all as “Uncle Willie”—was a constant with the Winnipesaukee Warriors.

He wasn’t just at practices. He was at everything.

Every game. Every event. Every competition.

Cheering loudly. Smiling widely. Making sure every athlete felt seen.

As Melissa Drew, the team’s Local Program Coordinator, shared:

“He has been with the team for over 15 years. He has been to every practice, event and competition, cheering on all of the Winnipesaukee Warriors, but mostly his best friend Kaitlyn Hilbrunner. He was our ‘pinnie man’ for basketball, our ‘softball catcher’ at track, and an all-around great man and supporter who always made all of the athletes and coaches feel special.”

He filled whatever role was needed, often without being asked. A pinnie distributor one minute, a softball catcher the next, and always, always a source of encouragement.

But more than anything, Uncle Willie was a friend.

The kind of friend who remembered your name, your effort, your victories—big or small—and celebrated them like they were the most important thing in the world.

Dick Nadeau: A Lifetime of Dedication

For over 30 years, Richard “Dick” Nadeau gave his time, his energy, and his heart to the Capital Area Cougars.

Three decades of showing up.

Three decades of believing in the mission.

Three decades of quietly, consistently making a difference.

Dick’s commitment to service extended far beyond Special Olympics. His obituary reflected a life rooted in giving back—serving as a Lector for 30 years at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Concord and as a lifelong member of the Knights of Columbus.

But within our community, he will be remembered for something even more personal.

For being there.

For believing in athletes.

For being part of a team that became family.

At his wake, that impact came full circle in a moment that left few dry eyes.

Amanda Coviello, a Capital Area Cougars athlete, brought one of her gold medals to honor Dick—a symbol of everything he had helped make possible. In a gesture that speaks volumes about who Dick was and what he meant, his wife invited Amanda to place the medal with him.

A champion, honored by a champion.

The Heart of Special Olympics

Volunteers like Uncle Willie and Dick are the heartbeat of Special Olympics New Hampshire.

They don’t seek recognition.

They don’t ask for applause.

They simply show up—again and again—with open hearts and unwavering belief in the athletes they support.

And in doing so, they create something powerful:

Confidence where there was doubt.
Connection where there was uncertainty.
Joy that ripples far beyond the field of play.

Their legacies live on in every athlete they encouraged, every moment they helped create, and every life they touched.

Carrying It Forward

While we mourn their loss, we also celebrate the example they set.

An example of what it means to give your time.
To care deeply.
To show up—not once, but over years and decades.

Uncle Willie and Dick remind us that the smallest actions—handing out pinnies, cheering from the sidelines, being present—can leave the biggest impact.

They will be deeply missed.

They will be forever appreciated.

And they will always be part of this community.