AUBURN — Dort S. Bigg Jr., 82, of Turner, passed away, surrounded by his loving family, Friday, Aug. 17, at Hospice House of Androscoggin.

He was born July 2, 1930, the son of Dort S. Bigg Sr. and Julie Zeckendorf Bigg.

Dort attended and graduated from primary schools in Mount Vernon and Turner, graduating from Leavitt Institute in 1948. During his four years at Leavitt, he was the president of his class, was appointed speaker of the House in the Augusta student legislature, while also receiving several scholastic honors. Dort was a renowned debater, public speaker, chess player and participator in dramatic arts. He played on the Leavitt Institute football team, was a cross-country runner, as well as basketball player. While also in attendance at Leavitt Institute, Dort became a registered Maine Guide, using the supplemental income to help finance his schooling.

Attending and graduating Dartmouth College from 1948 to 1952, Dort continued his passion in public speaking and dramatic arts. While a student at Dartmouth, Dort also was a member of the Bait and Bullet and chess clubs, the captain of the wrestling team and a member of the Alpha Delta Phi fraternity. From Dartmouth College, Dort then attended and graduated cum laude from Boston University School of Law, receiving several scholastic honors. During his time there he became the editor-in chief of the Boston University Law Review and also took second place in the National Moot Court competition. Upon graduation, Dort completed his bar exams and was admitted into the Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Illinois bars.

From there, Dort joined Orr and Reno Law Firm of Concord, N.H., where he was appointed assistant attorney general and assistant U.S. attorney of New Hampshire. In 1957, Dort joined the Wiggin and Nourie Law Firm in Manchester, N.H. Dort’s love and commitment to Wiggin and Nourie was only surpassed by the love he had for his wife and family. His passion for practicing law led him to become senior partner of the firm in the 1970s, where he remained until his retirement in 2005.

During his time at Wiggin and Nourie, Dort became a nationally recognized trial lawyer, trying cases all over the country in numerous courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court. High-profile cases Dort tried included a case against the use of flammable fabrics used in children’s clothing, which led to the industry promptly changing the laws in that regard. Dort also successfully awarded one of the largest verdicts in the country in a false arrest case, which did not involve physical violence.

During the years Dort practiced law, he was appointed chairman of the New Hampshire Ballot Law Commission for 13 years and a Regan delegate to the Republican National Convention.

Dort was an extraordinary defender of the first amendment and exemplified strong values for preserving the American justice system. Other awards and accomplishments Dort received during his professional career include the Distinguished Service and Professionalism award, Lifetime Achievement Award, the E. Donald Dufresne Award for Lifetime Outstanding Professionalism; he was also a member of the American College of Trial Lawyers and International Society of Barristers for the Maine and New Hampshire bar associations.

Although well-known for his professional accomplishments by all who knew him, Dort was probably best known as a sportsman. Dort pursued his passion in skin and scuba diving, specializing in competitive spear fishing on an international level. He also focused on exploring sunken ships throughout New England and the Caribbean. Dort dove the Andria Doria, which to those familiar is often referred to as the Mount Everest of deep-sea diving. Dort also helped explore the Cenopes (sacrificial wells) at Chi cxhiniza and Xushmal.

Of recent years, Dort expanded upon his early love of hunting. In 1978, he embarked on what would be the first of many trips to Africa. During his many adventures, Dort amassed a world-renowned collection of exotic and domestic mounted animals, which included a life-sized, five-and-a-half-ton African elephant, lions, leopards, bears, including a world record polar bear, and many other animals, which he and his wife generously display to several thousand visitors each year, primarily schoolchildren on field trips.

The remarkable accomplishments Dort made during his hobby and passion for the outdoors, were primarily taken with primitive black powder rifles, which Dort felt gave him more of a connection with the animals he loved and respected so much. Over the years, Dort has also had numerous stories published in hunting magazines, such as Field and Stream, Sports Afield and Muzzleloading. His collection of hunting accomplishments is featured in Safari Club International’s 1998, Volume II edition of “Great Hunters, Their Trophy Rooms and Collections.”

A loving and caring husband, father, grandfather and friend of many, Dort will be sorely missed by all those who were blessed to know him. He often said, “One life is never enough.” However, the compassion and wisdom he passed on to all those around him, both near and far, will forever remain instilled in our hearts. Special thanks to the Hospice House, Turner Rescue and the Wade family for all the care and support during this time.

Dort is survived by his wife of 32 years, Meredith Mason Small Bigg; four sons, Dort S. Bigg III and companion, Mary Seaman, of Turner, William Bigg and companion, Paula Durost, of New Hampshire, Patrick Bigg and his wife, Susan Bigg, of New Hampshire, and Daniel S. Bigg and his wife, Christina Bigg, of California; his stepson, Danny Small and companion, Anne Clark, of Turner; two sisters, Julie Bigg Veazey and husband, William Veazey, of New Hampshire and Pixie Cushman and her partner, Donna Barthe, of Maine. Dort is also survived by his five grandchildren, Samantha Bigg and her boyfriend, Josh Ratacik, of New Hampshire, Ryan Bigg of New Hampshire, Dort S.A. Bigg of New York, Benjamin Small and his wife, Amanda Small, of Winslow and Danielle Small of Turner; and great-granddaughter, Alyson Small of Winslow.

Messages of condolence may be sent to www.finleyfuneralhome.com.