George Charles Baldwin Jr.

George Charles Baldwin, Jr., 80, died May 28, 2018 at Chestnut Woods in Saugus after a long illness. George was born on February 12, 1938 in Montclair, New Jersey, son of the late Priscilla Ellis (Dunbar) Baldwin and George C. Baldwin, Sr. He moved to his grandmother’s home in Harwich Port with his family when he was in 4th grade. He graduated from Harwich High School in 1956, Burdett College with an Accounting Degree and a certificate in Advanced Principles of Hotel Management from Boston University.

In 1956, he married his high school sweet heart, Lee Wilson Hancock, who died in 2001. Together they bought the family homestead in Harwich Port, built by his ancestors c. 1842, and raised their five children.

In the 60’s and 70’s he worked various jobs, including security at the infamous Storyville, as well as the Harwich Port Post Office, Bass River Savings Bank, and the Harwich Police Department.

He developed a career working alongside John K. and Palmer Davenport to build the Davenport Realty Trust over 38 years; managing properties that included motels on the Cape and New Hampshire and opening the Cape Cod Mall. George’s work included building the first profit-sharing pension plan for a privately held company in Barnstable County, assisting the Town of Harwich to purchase their first computer system, and developing the first self-funded health insurance program for worker’s compensation in the Commonwealth. His contributions were recognized by the Massachusetts Governor, the State Senate and House of Representatives upon retiring in 2000.

He was active in town activities throughout his life, the Harwich Junior Theatre in the 1950’s, and the Cranberry Harvest Festival in the 1980’s, including a stint as a parade Marshall. George loved basketball and the Celtics, he was Captain of the Harwich High School team, President of the Cape Basketball League, in later years played wallyball. He was a jazz enthusiast at an early age, and loved good food. Travelling to Lee’s hometown of Provincetown and to the Caribbean and Sicily were highlights of their 45 years of marriage. George was briefly married to Donna (Bray Greeley) Baldwin from 2005 to 2010.

George is pre-deceased by his first wife, Lee W. H. Baldwin, a brother-in-law Anthony I. Hancock and nephew Timothy G. Engel. He is survived by his five children and their partners: Chris A. Baldwin of Dennisport MA, Charles G. Baldwin of Malden MA, Stephen W. Baldwin (Karen) of Mansfield MA, Sherill L. Baldwin (Kimball Cartwright) of New Haven, CT, and Lewis G. Baldwin (Ginny) of South Yarmouth, MA; his sister Beverly Nightingale (Bruce); sister-in-law Gail A. Hancock; beloved grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and a great-granddaughter Georgia Lee Small.

Contributions, in George’s name, can be sent to the Pilgrim Monument and Provincetown Museum, Annual Lighting , a tribute George did for years after Lee’s death https://www.pilgrim-monument.org/annual-lighting/ or donations may be made to the Harwich Conservation Trust at 947 Route 28, Harwich, MA 02645. A celebration of life will be scheduled at a later date.