George “Bo” Twigg, III of Kennebunk Beach, Maine died peacefully on December 1, 2017 after a long illness. He was 85 years old.
George was born on February 24, 1932 in Newark, New Jersey to George Twigg, Jr. and Julia Booth Twigg. He was raised in Needham, Massachusetts and graduated from Needham High School. George attended Boston University where he was an accomplished athlete and member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. He graduated in 1955 with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. He later received a Master’s degree from Plymouth State College in 1975.
George had a wide-ranging career. After college, he served in the United States Navy, stationed in Newport, Rhode Island. George was a successful salesman for corporations such as Raytheon and General Electric, working in the Boston, Utica, and Washington, DC areas. He worked for decades as a high school and college basketball referee, once officiating a high school game in which Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, then known as Lew Alcindor, played.
George later moved to Gilmanton, New Hampshire and built a new jack-of-all trades career that included work as an auctioneer, appraiser, real estate agent, justice of the peace, and notary public. He served for many years as a member and chairman of the New Hampshire Commission on Eminent Domain and its successor the Board of Tax and Land Appeals.
George was committed to public service. He was active in Republican politics, including a term in the New Hampshire House of Representatives, and worked for countless political candidates like Mel Thomson, Mitt Romney, and George W. Bush. While living in Gilmanton, he served on the School Board and Planning Commission.
George became well-known as an auctioneer for the New Hampshire PBS TV auction. When bidding slowed, he would play a rousing rendition of “Reveille” on his bugle to encourage bidders. He later served as auctioneer for countless other charity auctions.
George retired to Kennebunk Beach, Maine where he was a member of the Chamber of Commerce and other local organizations. He enjoyed taking his beloved husky Blackie for daily walks on Gooch’s Beach to enjoy the sand and surf and visit with friends and neighbors. This was a homecoming for George, as he spent his college summers as a lifeguard and sailing instructor at the Kennebunk Beach Improvement Association.
The family would like to express their heartfelt appreciation to the staff at the Monarch Center and VNA Hospice for their loving care of George.
George is survived by his wife Anna Mae Twigg of Kennebunk Beach; his son George Twigg, IV and daughter-in-law Sharon Twigg of Underhill, Vermont; his step-daughter Karen Steiner of Chrisman, Illinois; his sister-in-law Julia Twigg of Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts; his nieces and nephews Colette Twigg-Rowse, Charmaine Hartnett, Roy B. Twigg, and Michele Twigg; his cousins John and Amy Wyeth; and his first wife, Brenda Hayes. He is preceded in death by his only sibling, Charles Twigg.
George will be laid to rest in Needham, Massachusetts at a private interment ceremony. A public event celebrating George’s life will take place in early 2018.
Donations are welcome to the Animal Welfare Society PO Box 52, West Kennebunk, ME 04094 and the Main Idea and Camp Agawam 54 Agawam Road, Raymond, ME 04071
To share a memory or leave a message of condolence, please visit George’s Book of Memories Page at www.bibberfuneral.com.
Arrangements are in care of Bibber Memorial Chapel, 67 Summer St. Kennebunk, ME. 04043