PHILIP HARRISON WARDWELL SR.

CASTINE – Philip Harrison Wardwell Sr., 85, passed away peacefully Sept. 30, 2008, in Brooks, at the home of his daughter, Clarice Wardwell Gibbons, after a long illness. He was born May 18, 1923, in Castine, to Virgil and Rose Wardwell. He served in the 5th Air Force, 85th Airdrome Squadron of the U.S. Army during World War II in the Pacific Theater under Gen. McArthur. He was a member of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars. His expression of patriotism throughout his life will be remembered and honored by his family and friends. He married Claudine Nadeau and raised his family in Nashua and Hudson, N.H., where he worked as a boiler man at White Mountain Freezers. He returned to Maine in 1963, living in Stockton Springs, and working as a self-employed carpenter specializing in restoration of old homes. In 1985 he returned to his beloved Castine, the home in which he was born. In his later years, with much pride, he relished in being one of the last few remaining original residents of his hometown. He will be remembered by family and friends as a very kind, sensitive, earthen, nature-loving man, who valued most highly his family and the simple pleasures of life, like the birds and his gardens, the field and shore behind his house, appreciation of antiques, music and history. A tour guide for family and friends, he enjoyed long drives around Castine and the surrounding areas, sharing town and family history. He was predeceased by his parents; brothers, Clarence, Virgil, Elmont and George; his sister, Mildred Closson; and his daughter, Claire Boon. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Claudine; his children, Bernadette Curtis, Therese Martin and Philip Wardwell Jr. of Gorham, Veronica Wardwell of Northport and Clarice Gibbons of Brooks; nine grandchildren, Alan Curtis, David Martin, Chantelle and Nathan Wardwell of Gorham, Amanda Kezal of Saco, Melissa Hodgdon of Troy, Mindi Webster of Brooks, Jennifer Smith of Winterport and Elliot Cavicchi of San Diego; three sons-in-law, a daughter-in-law, several nieces nephews, great-grandchildren, great-nieces and great-nephews. Visiting hours were at the home of his daughter in Brooks. A Mass of celebration will be held 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 17, at Our Lady of Holy Hope Catholic Church, Perkins Street, Castine. Internment will be immediately after at Castine Cemetery. Arrangements are made by Mitchell-Tweedie Funeral Home, 28 Elm St., Bucksport. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to VFW Post No. 3108, Belfast or the Claire Wardwell Boon Scholarship Fund, Searsport High School, Searsport.