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An unassuming man from New Hampshire was secretly a multimillionaire. Geoffrey Holt lived in a run-down trailer with practically no furniture in the town of Hinsdale. He didn't have a car and would be seen riding his bicycle or lawn mower to the convenience store in the center of town.
"He seemed to have what he wanted, but he didn't want much," Edwin "Smokey" Smith, Holt's best friend and former employer, told the Associated Press.
When Holt died earlier in the year at the age of 82, his secret fortune was revealed. In his will, Holt left $3.8 million to his hometown of Hinsdale.
Smith said that Holt confided in him about his fortune, which he made through smart investments.
"I was sort of dumbfounded when I found out that all of it went to the town," Smith said.
Holt said he wanted the money to fund education, health, recreation, and culture initiatives in the town of 4,200.
Officials in the town are still working on how to best spend the money and honor Holt.
"I don't think anyone had any idea that he was that successful," said Steve Diorio, the town's select board chairperson. "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."