ARTHUR A. STILPHEN

NORTH BELGRADE – Arthur A. Stilphen, 66, passed away Saturday, Feb. 21, 2009, at his home. He was the husband of Brenda (King) Stilphen. Arthur was born May 21, 1942, in Portland, the son of Alice (Bird) Stilphen and the late Carl M. Stilphen. Arthur grew up in Rockland, where he became an Eagle Scout and graduated from Rockland High School. As a boy, he enjoyed spending summers on the family farm in Dresden. Arthur served three years in the Army as a medic. After his service, he completed his studies at the University of Maine – Orono and the University of Maine School of Law, Class of 1972. Early in his legal career he had a private practice in Portland and then served as an assistant district attorney in Cumberland County, assistant attorney general in the criminal division and acting district attorney in York County. In 1979, Arthur was appointed commissioner of public safety for the state of Maine under Gov. Joseph E. Brennan. Arthur then served as an assistant district attorney under Janet Mills until retiring from the state in 1989. In 1994, he and his daughter began practicing law in York County, where Arthur represented indigent clients until his retirement from the practice of law in 2008. Arthur owned and operated general stores in Smithfield and North Belgrade along with his wife, Brenda. He continued to work at North Belgrade General Store until his passing. He was a past president of Belgrade Lions Club. Arthur served as Cub Master Pack 4 in Portland for 17 years. He was a member of the Masonic Order of the Scottish Rite, Portland, a member of Rockland Lodge and a former member of Kora Temple Shrine. Arthur is best known throughout the state for his involvement in Democratic politics. He and his family volunteered on every campaign of Joseph E. Brennan, beginning in 1972. He also leant his unique campaign skills to many other candidates and statewide Democratic efforts throughout the years. Arthur will be remembered as a die hard Red Sox fan and he enjoyed attending auctions and collecting antiques, stamps and trains. He also enjoyed studying the Civil War and visiting the battlefield at Gettysburg. But whatever Arthur was involved in, he always belonged at the cottage on Great Pond and spent many mornings at the lake watching the sunrise. Arthur was predeceased by his father, Carl; and granddaughter, Heather Jean Stilphen. In addition to Brenda, his wife of 42 years, Arthur is survived by his son, Richard Stilphen and his wife, Donna, of Biddeford; his daughter, Vicki and her husband, Vincent Mathews, of Scarborough; his mother, Alice Stilphen of Rockland; sister, Louise S.G. Rahmlow and her husband, Werner, of Maine and Florida; his grandsons, Matthew and Andrew Stilphen of Biddeford; his granddaughters, Alice and Rachel Mathews of Scarborough; a paternal aunt of Pittston, maternal aunts and uncles of Wyoming and New Mexico, as well as numerous cousins. Relatives and friends are invited to a visitation 3-5 and 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 25, at Jones, Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home, 199 Woodford St., Portland, where a funeral service will be held 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 26. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Belgrade Lakes Association, P.O. Box 551, Belgrade Lakes, ME 04918.