George Wendell McKown, age 79, passed away unexpectedly at his home in Thomaston on May 27, 2023. Known as “Bink” or “Binky” to his family and friends, he was born in Boothbay Harbor, Maine on Aug. 19, 1943. He was the son of Frederic Carlos McKown Sr. and Hazel Delma Farnham McKown. He was one of 12 children.

George grew up in East Boothbay. He is fondly remembered for his love of food and his healthy appetite especially for the baked goods prepared by his mother, such as pumpkin pies and venison mincemeat turnovers, dark chocolate cake, cottage pudding, and doughnuts. George lived across the street from his brother Fred and family. He was the pitcher in many softball games for family and neighborhood children held in the McKowns’ field. At times, it seemed that he kindly and generously aimed the ball at the bat to help his niece hit the ball. As a young man, he is also remembered for his love of fast cars, especially Ford Mustangs.

George attended local schools in Boothbay. He worked at the Goudy & Stevens shipyard in East Boothbay. He joined the crew of the Schaefer replica of the schooner yacht America launched from that boatyard in 1967. He served as First Mate on the America during her maiden voyage and traveled all over the world as part of her crew. He later served as a crew member on the yacht Sea Star owned by Laurance Rockefeller.

George was also employed by Bicknell Manufacturing in Rockland and by Lie-Nielsen Toolworks in Warren. He had many good friends in both places of employment.

In 1971 George married Susan Webster Whittier who was originally from Vinalhaven. They settled in Thomaston and shared a full and happy life together. He helped raise her two children Laurie and Daniel. George and Susan shared a deep and abiding love of animals. Over the years, they welcomed many rescue dogs and cats into their home. They loved to spend time at the McKown family camp on Linekin Bay in East Boothbay. There, George and his brother David staged delicious and memorable clambakes with fresh local corn and seafood during various McKown family reunions. George and David also owned a hunting camp with several other family members in Washington County, Maine. George generously shared his carpentry skills and artistic talents with friends and family, helping several relatives in the restoration of old structures and other home renovation projects. He crafted beautifully detailed models of clipper ships as well as whirligigs as gifts for family members. Many of the children in the family also received wooden trucks and toys lovingly made in his workshop. George took great pride in his home and yard and worked diligently on their maintenance.

George was predeceased by his unnamed twin brother who died at birth. He was also predeceased by his parents, Frederic C. McKown Sr. and Hazel McKown, as well as his wife Susan Webster Whittier McKown. In addition, he was predeceased by brothers and sisters Barbara Pomerleau Dewey, Frederic Carlos McKown Jr., Marilyn Collins, Laurie Jeannette Morey, Robert McKown, Martha McKown and her twin Helen, and David McKown. A nephew, Mark Morey, and a step-great-grandson, Tristan Sawyer, also predeceased him.

George is survived by his sister, Joyce Graffam of Thomaston, and a sister and brother-in-law, Margie and Bill Yocum of The Villages, Florida. He is also survived by two stepchildren whom he helped raise, Laurie Whittier Southard of Rockland, and Daniel Whittier of Union. Other survivors include his step-grandchildren, Ashley Southard of Cushing, Tyler Curtis-Southard and wife Andrea of Rockland, Jade Southard of Thorndike, Kelsey Parker and husband Joe of Randolph, Katlyn Whittier of Wiscasset, and Tasia Whittier of Lincolnville.

Other survivors include George’s nieces and nephews: Tom Pomerleau and wife Barbara of Perris, California, Cindi Jensen and husband John of Fort Myers, Florida, Suzanne Gabele-Pomerleau of Lakewood, California, Penelope McKown and husband Marti Foster of Brewster, New York, John McKown of East Boothbay, Susan Martin of Portland, Gary Collins and wife Sheila of Opelika, Alabama, Greg Collins and wife Deborah of Skowhegan, Peter Graffam Sr. of Warren, Linda Connors and husband David of Searsmont, Deborah McClean and husband Bob of Cushing, Julie McKown of Lewiston, and Timothy Yocum and wife Kathy of Monmouth. He is also survived by a goddaughter, Hannah Foster, of Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

George was well-respected and beloved by his neighbors. He was indeed blessed to have such caring and compassionate neighbors who helped him in so many ways. They gave him companionship and even provided meals and treats for him after the passing of his wife. George’s family is grateful for all his neighbors did to bring happiness to him.

Bink will be remembered for his kindness, talents and craftsmanship, dry sense of humor, generosity, and the love he showed in so many ways to his family members. There is an empty spot in the family where he should be and he will be greatly missed by relatives and friends alike.

Interment will be at a later date in George’s wife Susan’s family plot on Vinalhaven Island. Arrangements were entrusted to Hall Funeral Homes of Thomaston.