In memoriam: George Harrington McEvoy

George Harrington McEvoy, 86, died at his Boothbay Harbor home on June 11. Born in Worcester, Massachusetts, George was the son of the late George and Mildred (Harrington) McEvoy. The family spent summers each year on Southport Island.

Photo courtesy of Lincoln County News

McEvoy began his professional career teaching elementary school in Bowdoinham in the early 1960s. He was soon promoted to principal of the school. He later turned his talents to owning and managing a marine hardware store which transitioned, with the help of business partners, into the Tugboat Inn and Marina in Boothbay Harbor.

McEvoy was instrumental in the creation of the Boothbay Railway Village Museum, which opened in 1964. He was dedicated to historical preservation. He organized disassembling dozens of Maine buildings that were due to be demolished then had them moved and painstakingly reassembled at the Museum. The Museum now provides visitors with a true vision of life in a small Maine town in the mid-19th century. 

McEvoy was also responsible for the renovation of the 142-foot wooden schooner Sherman Zwicker, one of the last schooners to fish the Grand Banks in Newfoundland. After restoring the vessel entirely, it was opened to the public so they might learn more about the rigors of seafaring life. McEvoy and volunteers took part in many Tall Ship events and sailed the Zwicker to Nova Scotia and Newfoundland numerous times.

McEvoy donated his time and funds to numerous organizations and projects throughout Maine, including the Maine Lobster Community Alliance, yet remained a stalwart supporter of his local community. Over the years he assisted the Boothbay YMCA, Boothbay Fire and Police departments and the Boothbay Harbor Footbridge Enhancement Project. His most recent project was to aid in the completion of the Eastside Waterfront Park in Boothbay Harbor. He was passionate in his support of local fishermen and making sure that local residents had access to the waterfront.