George Bridgham

George "Joe" Arthur Bridgham, 80, of Bangor, Maine, passed away unexpectedly at home on March 17, 2025. Born in Bangor on December 26, 1944, he was the son of Arthur and Lavaughn "Peggy" (Jordan) Bridgham.

Joe was predeceased by his parents, Arthur and Lavaughn "Peggy" Bridgham; his beautiful wife, Linda Elaine (Grant) Bridgham; and his sister, Judy Boyce.

He is survived by his daughter, Shannon Goodine, and her husband, Derik, of Bucksport, along with their daughters, Meaghan and Kennedi Goodine. He is also survived by his siblings: Connie (George) Newhall and their children, Ellen Newhall and Arthur (Toni) Newhall; Clifford (Gail) Bridgham; and Sally Lindsay. He leaves behind several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A true outdoorsman, Joe found joy in fishing, camping, gardening, ATV riding, canoeing, motorcycle riding, and flying model airplanes. His love for adventure was a defining part of who he was.

Joe proudly served in the U.S. Navy as an electronics technician, specializing in navigation and communications for military aircraft systems. He enlisted in 1965, was released from active duty in 1969, and remained in the reserves until 1971. After his military service, he worked at ABC Electronics, Goss TV, and Quality Cash Register. Even in his later years, he continued to help others by repairing electronics-a passion he carried throughout his life.

Joe met the love of his life, Linda, in the summer of 1969-the same year their daughter, Shannon, was born. From the start, Shannon and her dad were inseparable-two peas in a pod-standing side by side through every obstacle. If Shannon needed something repaired, Joe was always there to fix it. That pattern continued throughout their lives.

Joe's granddaughters, Meaghan and Kennedi Goodine, shared a special bond with their "Papa." He taught them to drive, rotate tires, and fix just about anything-especially electronics; everyone knew he loved that. Some of their fondest memories were spent canoeing and camping with him, where his adventurous spirit shone. More than a grandfather, he was their teacher, role model, and biggest supporter, imparting cherished stories, skills, and memories.

To some, he was fondly known as "Uncle Joe," sharing laughter and adventures with Bethanie, Kristin, Taylor, and Emily.

Joe had a deep passion for supporting veterans and active-duty service members. He could often be found at Bangor Airport, greeting troops with a handshake and a warm smile-whether they were coming home or heading into deployment. This love for honoring service members was something he shared with his family and friends.

He also dedicated much of his time to the Cole Land Transportation Museum, a place he considered his "second family." There, he conducted veterans' interviews, led tours, and was always ready to repair whatever needed fixing. The friendships he built there were unforgettable.

Among his closest friends were Bill Dean and Steve Burgess-together, they were known as the "Three Amigos." Whether volunteering at the museum or simply sharing stories, they had a way of making everyone around them laugh and feel welcome.

A special thank you to the James W. Williams American Legion Post 12 for their support, along with his dear friends Sharon Buck, Pat Trice, John Barron, Vivian Axmacher, and the late Norman Rossignol, and many others.

Joe will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing him.

A celebration of life will be held in honor of Joe at Cole's Land Transportation Museum, located at 405 Perry Road, Bangor, Maine 04401, on Saturday, April 12, 2025, from 1:00 to 3:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Joe's honor to Cole's Land Transportation Museum.