BRUNSWICK – Verdi Tripp, a former newsman who served in the Maine House of Representatives from 1994 to 2000, died of cancer on Wednesday. Tripp was 66.

A former Topsham selectman who was active in community affairs, Tripp had been a Portland Press Herald reporter who later started the Topsham Cryer newspaper. He was named the Southern Midcoast Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year in 2005.

Tripp was known for his service to the community. He was active in respite care and looked after elderly people with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease so their families could have time off.

Tripp is survived by his wife and two children.

“Maine has lost a true public servant,” said Gov. John Baldacci.