George T. Nawn, Builder/Developer, Former Tewksbury Building Commissioner, 77
George T. Nawn, a Chelmsford resident and the former Building Commissioner of the town of Tewksbury, died Monday, May 14, 2007, at home with his family by his side. He was the husband of Martha (Webster) Nawn, with whom he celebrated their 31st wedding anniversary on March 20th.
He was the son of the late Theodore L. and Alice G. (Schuster) Nawn. George was born in Boston and raised in South Boston where he attended the Boston Public Schools.
George was a decorated veteran of World War II having served in the Naval Air Transportation Service (NATS). After completing military service he went to work in the transportation industry where he was a member of Teamsters Local #25 in Boston. He was also a member of the Tewksbury-Wilmington Lodge of theElks, No. 2070.
After moving to Tewksbury in 1953, he became involved in all aspects of residential and commercial construction. In 1967, he was appointed as the Building Inspector and then in 1986 was appointed as the Building Commissioner a job from which he subsequently retired in 1991. A “self-made man” he was a very generous individual who shared his success unselfishly with his family and friends.
An ardent boater, he spent much of his leisure time traveling the East Coast on his boat, the “Nawnsense,” with his beloved wife, family and friends. Affectionately known as the “Mayor of Wentworth by the Sea Marina,” he leaves many wonderful friends in the boating community.
In addition to his boating prowess, George possessed many other talents, especially in the area of culinary arts. A wonderful cook, George could take the simplest recipe and turn it into a culinary delight. He loved to be creative and could reinvent an already beautiful boat, condo, or home into a “Georgified” masterpiece.
His first love, however, was unquestionably his family to whom he was tremendously devoted. He possessed an indomitable spirit, always positive and happy, and endeared himself to every person he met. He had a talent for making anyone and everyone who was fortunate to be in his presence, feel comfortable, important and loved. A gentleman in the truest sense of the word, George possessed an ability to endear himself into the hearts of those he met. George loved life and his hugs made everyone who knew him love George.
Besides his beloved wife, he is survived by a son, George T. Nawn, Jr. of Lowell; daughters, Patricia F. Nawn and her husband David J. Welch of Tewksbury, Kathleen A. Nawn-Benoit and her husband Thomas M. Benoit of Merrimack, NH. He also leaves four grandchildren, Kerry Clouten, Kathryn Nordhougen and her husband Thomas Nordhougen, Richard Roper and Stephanie Benoit, along with 3 great grandchildren Kendrick George Clouten, John Toleff Nordhougen and Theodore James Nordhougen; Brothers, Thomas L. Nawn and his wife Mary A. Nawn of Tewksbury, Stephen Nawn and his wife Madalyn of Naples, Florida and Woodstock, New Hampshire; his Brother-in-law, Henry A. Benson of Tewksbury.
George was the brother of the late Olga A. (Sis) Benson and Larry H. Nawn and brother-in-law of the late Janet Nawn.
Calling hours Friday, May 18th, from 3-7 p.m., at the Farmer & Dee Funeral Home, 16 Lee St., Tewksbury. Funeral Saturday, May 19th, at 8 a.m., from the funeral home, followed by Funeral Mass at 9 a.m., at St. William’s Church, 1351 Main St., Tewksbury. Interment at St. Mary Cemetery, Tewksbury. At the request of the family please OMIT FLOWERS. Donations in his memory to the Lowell General Hospital Cancer Center, 295 Varnum Avenue, Lowell, MA 01854 are requested.