BAREFOOT BAY, FL and LACONIA, NH ---- George E. Hawkins, Jr., 72, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, after a sudden illness, surrounded by his immediate family.
Born on July 15, 1953, in Laconia, New Hampshire, he was the son of George E. Hawkins, Sr., and Verna Hawkins. George graduated from Laconia High School in 1973 and spent most of his life in Laconia before retiring to Barefoot Bay, Florida in 2019, while continuing to spend summers in his hometown.
George was the owner of Whitten Construction, a retired Captain of the Laconia Fire Department, and Grounds Manager of Union Cemetery in Laconia. He also served as a Commissioner for Laconia Parks & Recreation and helped rebuild several local parks including Wyatt, Sanborn, Tardiff, and Memorial Parks. Known for his strong work ethic and generous spirit, George was always willing to lend a hand and was known by many as someone who could fix just about anything.
He was deeply involved in the community through volunteer work with the Weirs Beach Community Center, Laconia Little League, Bolduc Park, and youth sports programs including Lou Athanas Youth Basketball and Holy Trinity School. For many years he ran the Laconia Little League Junior All-Star Tournament and helped rebuild the concession stand and dugouts at Colby Field. George and his wife also volunteered together running the concession stand for many seasons. He was a member of the Belknap County Snowmobile Association, a certified scuba diver, and an avid collector of gas station memorabilia.
George especially loved time spent with his family. One of his proudest accomplishments was building his family home on Paugus Bay and helping his daughter build several homes over the years. In recent years, he cherished volunteering at Santa’s Village with his granddaughter Hayley. George and his wife Deborah celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on August 3, marking the occasion by checking off a bucket list trip riding the Cog Railway.
He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Deborah L. (LaRoche) Hawkins; his daughter Lyndsey Hawkins-Hill and her husband Timothy Hill of Pembroke, NH; and his beloved granddaughter Hayley Cochrane. He is also survived by his sisters Robin Hendrickx and her husband Alan, and Catherine Hammare and her husband Nils, all of Laconia, NH; his brother-in-law John Thrippleton of New Bern, NC; as well as four nieces and seven nephews.
He was predeceased by his parents George E. Hawkins, Sr., and Verna Hawkins; his sisters Nancy Young and her husband Bill, and Donna Thrippleton; and his wife’s parents Richard and Rita LaRoche.
A graveside service will be held in Laconia, New Hampshire this summer, with the date to be announced.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Laconia Firefighter Relief Association, 848 N Main Street, Laconia, NH 03246, in George’s memory.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services/603Cremations.com, 164 Pleasant St., Laconia, NH, 03246, is assisting the family with arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial, please visit wilkinsonbeane.com.