George (Joe) Brigham

The Early Years
George Brigham was born on December 26, 1944 at home in Bangor, Maine. He was the youngest of five in a bustling household. Even at a young age George wanted to be called “Joe”, so that preferred name always stuck with him. Like his father, who he lost at age 11 due to an airplane accident, Joe loved the outdoors and was often out in his canoe exploring and fishing. Joe had a strong work ethic and, because he was known as someone who could fix about anything, he was always helping others with their projects.

Military Service
When in high school, he started pumping gas at a local gas station, then worked at Saliba’s Rugs until he received his draft notice in 1965. Joe then enlisted in the U.S. Navy on the advice of his uncle Roy who was also a Navy veteran. Joe was commissioned to Memphis, Tennessee to be trained in aircraft electronics. Later he was stationed in Pensacola, Florida where he worked on repairing Navy airplanes that had just returned from Viet Nam. His ingenuity became legendary

Civilian Life
On one of his trips home on leave, Joe met Linda. They married on July 2,1971 and built a life together on Katahdin Street in Bangor. Their home became the heart of the neighborhood. Children would gather there daily along with their daughter Shannon where Joe would fix their bikes, entertain them with stories, and teach them how to enjoy the ‘exotic’ food he made from what he grew in his backyard garden. He spent much of his time with his grand-daughters Meaghan and Kennedi. They called him “Papa” and he taught them how to camp, explore, fix stuff, and become lovely ladies.

Supporting Veterans
Joe was passionate about supporting veterans. He joined the American Legion Post 12 in Bangor where he volunteered in many activities including the Board of Directors, He was also a member of the American Legion motorcycle riders. In 2022, he went on one of the Honor Flights to Washington, DC, which proved to be a very important and moving experience for him.

During his retirement, Joe also became very involved in the Cole Land Transportation Museum. He would go there almost every day, where he volunteered to do whatever was needed. He participated in a program where school children visiting the museum would interview him, apparently making quite an impression with his unique sense of humor and accumulated a box full of letters from the kids. Plus, as typical Joe, he repaired most everything there that needed fixing

The Maine Troop Greeters
Joe immersed himself in Troop Greeters activities. He rarely missed a flight and greeted Troops at all hours of the day and night. Sometimes only Joe and a few others would be there, especially at times like 2:00 am. He became good friends with “Normy” Rossignol and Bill Dean, the “Three Amigos”. Joe and Normy delighted in taking their place at the head of the line to greet Troops as they came down the ramp at the airport.

Joe also quickly became very involved in the important decisions of the Troop Greeter organization, joining the Board of Directors, heading the membership, keeping track of “Call-em-all”, working with new members, and many other activities to keep it running smoothly. Later when the museum was created, he would open the Troop Greeter room once per week to welcome visitors, give museum tours, explain the history and help people understand the history. One time, he met a Navy Chief who would have outranked him when he was in the service. She gave him a hug. So Joe always liked to say he hugged a Chief! Joe loved greeting the troops, meeting them, and making sure they received a heartfelt welcome home that the Vietnam Veterans did not.

Joe passed unexpectedly at home on March 17, 2025. He will be greatly missed by the Maine Troop Greeters and so many others.