LEWISTON – George B. Cotton, 84, of Lewiston, Peaks Island, and Marco Island, Fla., died at CMMC hospital on Sunday, Oct. 17, after receiving major injuries in an automobile accident on Oct. 7.

Born in Lewiston on Aug. 1, 1920, son of George B. Cotton and Cynthia A (Curtis) Rydholm, he attended public schools in Lewiston before attending the University of Maine where he received a B.S. degree (cum laude) in chemical engineering in June, 1941, at the age of 20. He was a member of Phi Gamma Delta and President of Alpha Chi Sigma.

One week after graduation, he started work at Hood Rubber Co. (division of B.F.Goodrich) in Watertown, Mass., as a laboratory chemist. He married Gloria LeClair on Dec. 20, 1941, and they were together for more than 59 years until her death on Feb. 24, 2001.

In January, 1943, he volunteered for the Army and joined as a 2nd Lt. He served overseas (England, Belgium, and Germany) during World War II and commanded an anti-aircraft artillery company. He was decorated with a Bronze Star for service during the Battle of the Bulge in late 1944. He left active duty in January, 1946, but served in the Army reserve for several years.

After returning from the war, he resumed work at Hood Rubber and received a series of promotions and rose to the position as head of the Technical Services department. In November, 1959, he accepted a request to come to work for Seltzer & Rydholm in Auburn. He was made Vice President of Production and Maintenance.

He headed up the design, site selection, and construction of the company’s key expansion to Portland in 1962. After that, he directed all phases of company operations including production, operations, facilities, and engineering at the company’s plants.

During the 45 years that he ran the company, it has received a long series of awards as a Pepsi-Cola franchise including awards for product quality (named for the founder of Pepsi-Cola, Caleb Bradham) almost every year and culminating in the Bottler of the Year (2001) — the top award (“Best of the best”) recognizing all aspects of the business including sales performance and improvement as well as product quality.

Also, he received the Governor’s Award for outstanding business for 1999 from Governor Angus King.

In 1993, he became President and CEO of the entire corporation, which included as many as five warehouse locations throughout the franchise territory in Maine. He retired on Oct. 1.

Peaks Island has always been one of his greatest loves starting at age one, he spent every summer there (except during World War II). As a child, he helped his grandmother in her bakery and store that she owned and operated on Peaks Island. Besides his lifetime love of Peaks Island, he discovered Marco Island, Fla., about 30 years ago, and spent increasing amounts of time there during winter until, of late, he would be there throughout the entire winter.

Away from work, he was a member of the Power Squadron; as an avid boater, he cruised the waters of Casco Bay for many years in boats starting with a small open 18 footer and ending with a 38-foot cabin cruiser with a flying bridge. Two years ago at age 82, he replaced his pontoon boat with a new, bright yellow, deck boat to cruise and explore the canals of Marco Island and the river between Marco Island and the mainland.

He has also served as a Trustee of the Androscoggin Savings Bank for many years until he reached the age limit of 70.

He was a generous supporter of many local organizations not only in the Lewiston-Auburn area but also on Peaks Island and Marco Island, Fla. In addition, he contributed to the CMMC and St. Mary’s hospitals, the Greater Androscoggin Humane Society, American Cancer Society, and many others.

He has always been respected for his honesty and integrity in the business world as well as in his personal life. Many people consider him one of the nicest people they have ever met.

Throughout his life, his family has always remained his highest priority and greatest joy. He was a wonderful father and always quick to offer a helping hand, or advice when it was needed or requested and was just as quick to thank everyone for any help they gave him.

He will be greatly missed every day by his family, friends, and the communities.

Survivors include two daughters, Susan Morgan and her husband Philip, of Auburn, and Lin Cotton, of Marco Island, Fla.; a grandson, Keith Morgan and his wife, Cynthia, his sister, Cynthia Crocker, all of Auburn; a niece, Bonnie Hayward, of Auburn, and her family; a niece, Patricia Reed, of Minnesota, and her family; and his beloved pet, Yorkshire Terrier, “Tessa.”

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