His father was William Wallace Blaisdell II, who served as fire chief of Honolulu;[1] and his mother was Maliaka "Malie" Alaneao Merseberg.

Although Blaisdell also played basketball and baseball, he was inducted into the Bucknell Athletic Hall of Fame in 1988 in the football category.

[10][11] As mayor, he oversaw the construction of the John H. Wilson Tunnels through the Koʻolau Range from Kalihi Valley; and erected the Hawaii International Center, a multipurpose complex with a concert hall, convention center, exhibition hall and sports arena.

Their daughter Marilyn Blaisdell Ane married another football coach and taught at Punahou School for 28 years.

[14] Blaisdell suffered a stroke while doing yard work and died on November 5, 1975, one day shy of his 73rd birthday.