Obituary of George O. Drinkwater

George Oscar Drinkwater

George Oscar Drinkwater was born on June 1, 1941, to Harold C. and Evelyn E. (Harding) Drinkwater. He passed away peacefully on November 22, 2023, with Charleen F. (Salisbury) Drinkwater, his loving wife of 58 years by his side.

George was predeceased by his parents Harold C. and Evelyn E. (Harding) Drinkwater and brother Daryl Drinkwater and half-sister Jane Hall.

George was born in Northport, Maine, where he stayed and resided as a lifetime resident. Throughout his youth, he assisted his father Harold with many business ventures such as:  Opening and operating the Belfast Speedway in Belfast, which held races during the 1950-1952 racing seasons on their ½ mile dirt racetrack. On this racetrack, George loved to race the cars he rebuilt with his own hands for the sole purpose of racing. He shared the love of car racing with his sister, Jane Hall, who he was so proud of for holding the title of PowderPuff Champion in Exeter, NH in the late 1950’s.

George was his father’s right-hand man from an early age. He assisted him with running a used car sales lot called, Harold Drinkwater – Used Cars – Sales & Service, by rearranging the cars in the lot, repairing, and working on the engines and making trips to tow and haul the cars back for his father to sell. He loved to tell stories about the trips he took around Maine and New England to find and haul the cars back for his father’s car lot.

Together, George and his father built the Blue Goose in Northport, Maine. This was built in the very same location they started the used car sales business. They completed the build in 1952 and were able to open to the public in 1953. The hall offered dancing and roller skating in the early days. The Blue Goose has had a long-standing place in the community of Northport. It was often used as a safe gathering place when big storms would come through and is still used to this day to hold local auctions and many celebrations, such as family gatherings and weddings.

George was a graduate of Crosby School in 1961, where he met his soon-to-be wife, Charleen, during his senior year. They were married March 21, 1965, at the Northport V.F.W Post 6131. Here, they celebrated their union again on their 50^th anniversary surrounded by family and friends. Together, they welcomed and raised five children. Their devotion and partnership to each other over years is an example true love at its best.

Also in 1965, George joined the Northport Volunteer Fire Department. He served as a loyal volunteer with the Fire Department for over 50 years. You would often see George in local parades leading or assisting with pulling the antique firetruck. His favorite truck to drive was Tanker #50. He had a knack for being able to navigate the large truck into the smallest and tightest spots to enable the truck to be used to the fullest of its abilities. When the tone was paged for help and would come over the scanner, you could depend on him to respond as quickly as possible and be enroute to offer a helping hand. He treasured the time spent and camaraderie with his brothers and sisters in the fire department.

George was a reliable, dependable, and hard worker throughout his entire life. In addition to assisting his father with business ventures, he held a job at the local Waldo Shoe Factory for over 5 years and was employed through the Belfast School District for over 27 ½ years. George was not a man to sit still for very long, he always had a side business going. Over the years, he operated Drinkwater Small Engine repair, sold Amway, raised, and sold rabbits, made, and sold Alder baskets, perfected the art of woodworking by making beautiful bird houses, small wooden animals and wooden animal yard art. George started and passed along his business, Drinkwater’s Landscaping to his son, his pride and joy Harold L. Drinkwater, who now owns and operates the business.

George enjoyed riding the train back and forth from Belfast to Thorndike when he was a young boy. His favorite color was red. He loved all things with an engine, big or small. He was an avid hunter of deer, moose, bear, and racoons. He appreciated all the hunting trips with his buddies, Ernie, Peter, David, Clyde, and Eli. He had fun on snowmobiling trips with friends, David, and Don over the years. George took pride in his garden, which was over an acre, that he maintained for so many years. He loved farming, helping his grandfather on his farm and then raising and caring for his own farm animals over the years, such as pigs, cows, chickens, sheep, and horses. George was a Mason and a member of the Improved Order of Redmen.

George cherished his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He took great pride in his children’s achievements. He was truly a family man and loved having everyone come together to celebrate birthdays, holidays, and spending time together. You could see the happiness on his face when he was with his grandkids and hearing them call him their Ampa.

George is survived by his wife Charleen F. Drinkwater and their 5 children, Robert Drinkwater Sr., Kathy (John) Dunham, Beverly (Stephen Sr.) Flagg, Susan (Charlie) Greene and Harold (Angela) Drinkwater. He was graced with 15 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild, there are also in-laws, aunts and many cousins left behind. He held all his family close to his heart throughout the years as they were a source of joy for him.

A celebration of life will be held as a tribute and remembrance for George at the American Legion Post 43, 143 Church St Belfast, ME 04915 on December 17, 2023, at 1:00pm.

Donations in his memory may be made to Northport Volunteer Fire Department 16 Beech Hill Road Northport, ME 04849.

The family would like to thank the staff at Quarry Hill in Camden and Breakwater Commons in Rockland for their support, kindness and care provided over the last 2 years.