The gale force wind that was George Dewey Richardson Jr. fell calm on Oct. 12, 2026, when George took his last breath at his beloved home overlooking Jewett Cove with his wife and family by his side. George was first and foremost a gruff, stoic fisherman who claimed that he had been given more than nine lives after surviving several near-death experiences at sea, and a cancer diagnosis. He never imagined he would remain an active part of the Westport community until age 90. 

George was a person of dedication and determination who responded to issues, and to life, in meaningful ways. His deep love of Westport Island and its community along with his caring for residents in need of assistance serves as an example of how a community should function. He will be remembered as a confident man who valued positive relationships, stood up for fairness and followed through with action in the completion of any task he took on. He will be missed by many. 

George was born in Bath, Maine, on June 2, 1936, the son of George “Dewey” Richardson, a commercial fisherman, and Irish immigrant, Teresa “Tree” Senier Richardson, a cook and professional baker. George grew up on Westport Island, attended the island’s one-room schoolhouse, and graduated from Morse High. He attended Maine Maritime Academy in Castine, then served a two-year deployment in the U.S. Navy before returning to Westport Island to pursue a career as a commercial fisherman. In 1959, George married Marcia Kelley, the beautiful girl next door. They were married for 67 years.

During many decades on the water scalloping, groundfishing, dragging for shrimp in the winter, and fishing for bluefin tuna in the summer, George participated in various research projects, working with scientists on the F/V Marcia Ann sharing his knowledge and experience. Projects included monitoring changes in fish populations and behavior, the effect of overboard septic discharge on fisheries, and the impact of the Maine Yankee Nuclear Power Plant on the Sheepscot River. After 6 decades at sea, he retired and handed the baton to his youngest son, Lincoln.

George was also a passionate and respected public servant and community leader. He served as a Selectman of Westport Island for over three decades, was on the Maine Municipal Association Policy Committee, Lincoln County Budget Committee, Chairman of the School Board, Harbor Master, Select Committee of Marine Resources, Westport Island Shellfish Committee, and was a longstanding board member of the East Coast Tuna Association. In recognition of his commitment to municipal service, George was awarded the Maine Municipal Association Ethel Kelley Memorial Award in 2006. 

During his 32 years of service as town Selectman, George’s proudest achievements included his advocacy for constructing a town office building, the development of the Ferry Landing, a food pantry, the Westport Island History Center, and keeping property taxes low to help local island residents retain long-held lands for future generations. 

George is survived by Marica Ann Richardson, his wife of 67 years, his five children, George “Chuck” D. Richardson, Corinne (Tom Elliott) Richardson, Gary (Tonya) Richardson, Stacy (Mike) Baxter, and Lincoln Richardson; grandchildren James Richardson, Caleb Richardson, Brad Richardson, Alisyn Richardson, Cameron West, Kayla West, and Mathias Richardson; sister, Deidre Dunlop and her three children Tom Dunlop, Terri Dunlop, Andrew Dunlop; and sister Dianne Roberts and son, Brian Roberts; and great granddaughter, Rosalie West.

A graveside burial with family will take place at the Richardson-Jewett Cemetery on Friday, Oct. 23, and a celebration of life will be held at the Westport Island Old Town Hall on Sunda, Nov. 1 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in George’s memory to the Friends of Westport Island History (fowih.org).

Condolences can be made online at www.daiglefuneralhome.com