class=”sc-cffd1e67-0 fmXrkB”>
He lived modestly, but he could have lived a life of luxury. Geoffrey Holt (†82) worked as a caretaker at a mobile home park in Hinsdale, New Hampshire. He also did odd jobs and gave driving lessons to students, even though he no longer had a car himself. Instead, he drove a lawn mower through the town of nearly 4,000 residents. He was known locally, but no one knew his secret. Holt was secretly a multi-millionaire.
Nevertheless, he lived in a caravan in poor conditions. He had almost no furniture, no television and no computer. The bed was already old and visibly broken. But Holt didn’t seem to mind.
Only after his death in June this year did it become known how much money the inconspicuous 82-year-old had amassed. Because: In his will, he left the city of Hinsdale $3.8 million. The money will benefit education, healthcare, recreation and culture, the AP reports.
The city wants to use the money sparingly
‘I know he didn’t have much family, but I’ll leave that up to the town he lived in. This is a great gift,” City Council President Steve Diorio told AP. It is not yet known what the sudden windfall will be used for.
But some residents already have a few ideas in mind. For example, the town hall clock can be replaced, buildings can be renovated or perhaps a new election counting machine can be purchased. The right to vote was obviously important to Holt. Also being discussed is the possibility of using the money to create an online driving course in Holt’s honor. “Hinsdale will use the remaining money very sparingly, just as Mr. Holt did,” Kathryn Lynch, the city manager, told AP.
He didn’t know what to do with the money
The fact that no one knew about Holt’s millions is not entirely true. He confided in his friend Edwin Smith, who is also executor of Holt’s estate. Long ago, Holt worked as a production manager in a grain mill and invested his wages in the communications industry, among other things. To do this, he spent his free time intensively learning about finance and studying investments. With surprising success. Holt confided to Smith that his investments were doing better than he ever expected and that he didn’t know what to do with the money.
According to Holt’s sister, Alison Holt, 81, her brother didn’t need much to be happy. Although she was also aware of the investments, she did not know that he could make so much money from them. “I’m just so sad that he didn’t treat himself to something little,” she said. (ymh)
Source: Blick
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
