FORT FAIRFIELD – George Maines Philbrick Sr., 80, husband of Mrs. Betty N. Philbrick died Wednesday evening, June 16, 2004, at the Maine Veterans Home, Caribou, following a long illness. He was born Feb. 24, 1924, at Fort Fairfield, the son of Freeman J. and Jessie L. (Fawcett) Philbrick. He was a graduate of the Fort Fairfield High School and was a veteran of the United States Army Air Corp., having served during World War II, earning the rank of sergeant. He was a member of the 801/492nd Bomb group which carried out a top secret mission “Operation Carpetbagger” which flew arms, supplies and operatives to the underground throughout Europe. One of the OSS members who jumped on these missions with George was William Colby who would later go on to be a longtime director of the C.I.A. George was general manager at Vahlsing, Inc., plant manager at Maine sugar, worked at McCain Foods and held various management positions. He also owned and operated a farming operation on the East Limestone Road, owned and operated an auto and farm machinery dealership as well as G.P. Shippers Long Distance Trucking, and was involved in Maine and New York starch factories as vice president and manager. George was a member of the Fort Fairfield VFW Paul Lockhart Post No. 6187, American Legion Walter Lovely Post No. 27, a Mason and Shriner for more than 50 years, member of the United Parish, past member of the Fort Fairfield Rotary, a past Toastmaster, former selectman, past director of the Fort Fairfield Chamber of Commerce, a former member of aircraft Owner and Pilots Association. He had a passion for flying and held his private pilots license for many years. He also loved traveling on cruise ships such as to England, Greece, Hawaii and the Caribbean. George was an outgoing man who always enjoyed people and was always generous, kind, honest and who will be missed by all. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his second wife, Joyce Reed Edmunds Philbrick on March 1, 1998; two brothers, Frederick F. and John C. Philbrick; a sister, Agnes Louise Philbrick; a granddaughter, Autumn Philbrick. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Betty N. Philbrick of Fort Fairfield; two sons, George M. Philbrick Jr. of Dover, N.H., Frederick H. Philbrick and his wife, Patricia, of Terryville, Conn.; one daughter, Sharon Nadeau of Alpena, Mich.; eight grandchildren, Suzanne Rouleau and her husband, Pierre, of Cambridge, Ontario, Canada, Mark Nadeau of Anchorage, Alaska, Peter Nadeau and his wife, Natalie, of Alpena, Mich., Jessica Philbrick, Thomas Philbrick, both of Terryville, Conn., George M. Philbrick, III, Philip Rowell and Loring Rowell, all of Dover, N.H.; 13 great-grandchildren, Clair, Paul, Madeleine, Dominic, Gabrielle, Jessica, Tia, Malinda, Jamie, Rikki, Chaz, Colin, Caleb; a brother, Henry J. Philbrick of Ocala, Fla.; a sister, Joan LeTarte of Alexandria, Va.; two stepchildren, James Michael Edmunds and his wife, Cathy, of Fort Fairfield, and Judith Edmunds Leach and her husband, Glen, of Squa Pan Lake, seven nephews and two nieces. A memorial service will be held 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 7, 2004, at the Dorsey Funeral Home, 144 Lower Main St., Fort Fairfield. Friends may call from 1 p.m. until time of service. Interment will take place immediately following the service at Riverside Cemetery, Fort Fairfield. There will be a reception following the committal at the VFW Paul Lockhart Post No. 6187, Presque Isle Street, Fort Fairfield. Those who wish may make donations to the Fort Fairfield Public Library, 339 Main St., Fort Fairfield, ME 04742.
GEORGE MAINES PHILBRICK SR.
