Filgas passed away Sunday, Aug. 6, 2006, in Oakland, Calif. John was born Nov. 19, 1960, in Albany, Ga. John grew up in Van Buren, and lived in Bangor for many years before moving to Oakland, Calif. to ply his trade as an actor. Having performed in dozens of shows for the Bangor Community Theatre, Penobscot Theatre, the Grand in Ellsworth and Lakewood Theatre in Skowhegan, John struck out for California where he founded an improvisational theater troupe known as Liquid Soap. Some of his most memorable performances in Maine included the M.C. in the Bangor Community Theatre production of Cabaret, the narrator in the Penobscot Theatre production of A Christmas Carol and Charley in the Lakewood Theatre production of Charley’s Aunt, to name just a few. John was a 1993 graduate of the American Conservatory Theatre, ACT, and performed in more than 200 improvisational shows in the San Francisco Bay area. John was not afraid to pursue his ambitions even when it meant leaving his home and friends to go across the country to a place with greater opportunities for an actor. John’s outgoing personality was bigger than life, and although he never “made it big,” John was constantly performing, doing what he loved the most.John is survived by his sister, Shirley Barnhouse; and his nephew, Derek Barnhouse. John will be sadly missed by his family and many close friends on both coasts. A celebration of John’s life with be held 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 19, at the home of Michael and Penny Weinstein, 15 Chapman Lane, off the Green Lake Road, in Dedham, 843-7985. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the John P. Filgas Memorial Fund, care of Shirley Barnhouse, 34 Northwood Dr., Windham, ME 04062.
JOHN P. FILGAS
