Man dies leaving millions to his town

Hinsdale, New Hampshire (AP):

Geoffrey Holt was unassuming as the caretaker of a mobile home park in Hinsdale, New Hampshire, where he lived a simple, but curious life.

Residents would see Holt around town in threadbare clothes -- riding his lawn mower, headed to the convenience store, parked along the main road reading a newspaper or watching cars pass.

He did odd jobs for others, but rarely left town. Despite having taught high schoolers to drive, Holt had given up driving a car. He opted for a bicycle and finally the mower. His mobile home in the park was mostly empty of furniture -- no TV and no computer, either. The legs of the bed went through the floor.

"He seemed to have what he wanted, but he didn't want much," said Edwin "Smokey" Smith, Holt's best friend and former employer.

But Holt died earlier this year with a secret: He was a multimillionaire. And what's more, he gave it all away to this community of 4,200 people.

His will had brief instructions: US$3.8 million (approximately J$591 million) to the town of Hinsdale to benefit the community in the areas of education, health, recreation and culture.

"I don't think anyone had any idea that he was that successful," said Steve Diorio, chairperson of the town select board who'd occasionally wave at Holt from his car.

"I know he didn't have a whole lot of family, but nonetheless, to leave it to the town where he lived in ... It's a tremendous gift."

Holt's best friend, Smith, a former state legislator who became the executor of Holt's estate, learnt about his fortune in recent years.

He knew Holt, who died in June at age 82, had varied interests, like collecting hundreds of model cars and train sets that filled his rooms, covered the couch and extended into a shed. He also collected books about history, with Henry Ford and World War II among his favourite topics. Holt had an extensive record collection too, including Handel and Mozart.

Holt confided to Smith that his investments were doing better than he had ever expected and wasn't sure what to to do with the money. Smith suggested that he remember the town.

"I was sort of dumbfounded when I found out that all of it went to the town," he said.