Harry (Sonny) D. Tisdale, Jr.

Harry D. Tisdale, Jr., known to most as "Sonny", passed away at the age of 80 at his home in New Symrna Beach, Florida on March 1, 2025 with his family by his side.
Sonny was a kind, loving, generous man who never left his family or friends without a hug. He was born on August 22, 1944 in Brunswick, Me., the only boy of five children, to Dorothy M. and Harry D. Tisdale.

Sonny had a love for horses, dogs and all things automotive. Following his service in the United States Army and becoming a Vietnam Veteran, he returned to Maine and eventually settled in Chelsea. There he opened and operated Tisdale's Junkyard. Later he sold Tisdale's and in 1982 he established what became his well known business, Sonny T's Used Cars and Trucks. Many memories were made and friendships formed at Sonny T's and occasionally, a vehicle or two were sold. Sonny knew how to wheel and deal yet lend a helping hand to customers who needed assistance to buy a vehicle. As his business grew, he purchased a supporting location and Sonny T's Junkyard was developed.

Sonny had his hands full raising three sons who he thoroughly enjoyed life with. He and his boys, Greg, Bobby and Randy were active in fishing, trail riding on ATV's, playing sports including tennis in their own home court and swimming in their pool. Sonny was especially gifted in teaching his boys many interesting life skills. Performing proper burnouts, hauling a heavy bulldozer to a customer using a light Ford Bronco and lifting a building on top of a schoolbus and hauling it with a wrecker to relocate it are just a few of those valuable lessons. Sonny was a wonderful, fun loving man who will also be remembered for his plentiful lobster bakes. His lifetime of success and humor with so many stories of comical events will be cherished for years to come.

In addition to his automotive businesses, Sonny engaged in the buying and selling of many real estate properties. He once stated "At one point or another I probably owned half of Chelsea!" Sonny spent many winters in Florida before moving permanently to New Smyrna Beach where he spent the last 17 years with his love, Annette Keenan. He was warmly welcomed, befriended and loved by her adult children and grandchildren who also became his family.

Sonny was predeceased by his parents; and sisters, Arlene McRee; Janice Jenkins, Dorothy Read and Harriett Rogers.
He is survived by his son Greg D. Tisdale and wife Mary Kay of Albion, Maine; son Bobby D. Tisdale of Chelsea, Maine; stepson Randy Markham of Morrill, Maine.; grandson Noah D. Tisdale of Albion, Maine.; special partner Annette Keenan and family; and many loved nieces and nephews.

Services are being provided by Settle-Wilder Funeral Home and Cremation Service, of New Smyrna Beach, Florida. Celebrations of life in Florida and Maine will be determined and details will be shared. A private burial will take place at a later date in Maine.

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