EAST PITTSTON – Alan A. Philbrook, 57, died peacefully Wednesday, May 24, 2006, at home. He was born July 12, 1948, in Dover-Foxcroft, the son of Glenn and Mary Strout Philbrook of Milo. He grew up in Waterbury, Conn., with frequent visits to Maine, to build and vacation in the family camp on Schoodic Lake in Piscataquis County. Alan was an Eagle Scout, the skills of which he used forever after in everyday living. Alan graduated from New York Maritime College in Fort Schuyler, N.Y., and had multiple careers in marine engineering, teaching and home building while raising a family, and back to merchant marine engineering when his children were grown. In later years, he also performed weddings with a heartfelt, personal touch. Al’s courageous fight with cancer was true to his life of standing tall and fighting for what he believed in. His leadership in the Maine Nuclear Referendum, which accomplished the closure of Maine Yankee, and his participation in local environmental issues and publishing the Pittston News are examples of how he lived his life as a concerned citizen. Besides active citizenship, Al was an avid gardener, cut his own firewood, built the homes he lived in, and was the kind of Dad who got excited about taking his children trick-or-treating, pitching horseshoes with his uncles, riding his Harley, playing volleyball in the yard, snowmobiling with his Dad, playing with his grandchildren, and entertaining his family and many friends on special occasions. He was quick to pick up a hammer or shovel to help anyone who needed it. Alan’s personality has been described by friends as “a great neighbor,” and “larger than life.” He could always come up with a humorous remark to save a situation. Alan is survived by his wife of 36 years, Patricia Sullivan Philbrook; their son, Ben A. Philbrook and daughter-in-law, Heather Tucceri Philbrook, of Randolph; daughter, Amy Philbrook McLean and son-in-law, Douglas McLean, of Canberra, Australia; son, Jesse G. Philbrook and daughter-in-law, Samantha Angennate Philbrook, of Pittston; grandchildren, Jillian Laura Philbrook, Olivia Adelle Philbrook, Isac Paul Philbrook, and Jared Arthur Philbrook; sister, Donna Philbrook McGee of Virginia. A celebration of Alan’s life will be held 2 p.m. June 3, in the home that Al built. All friends and family are welcome. In lieu of flowers, Alan wanted everyone to plant a tree in a place of their choice, and he said with a grin, “All bikers should go to Sturgis!”