JONESPORT – Philmore H. Smith Sr., 90, affectionately known as “GAR-GAR,” passed away Feb. 26, 2011, with members of his family by his side at his residence. He was born May 10, 1920, in Jonesport, son of Hoyt P. and Velora J. (Lamson) Smith.
Philmore grew up on lighthouses, where his father was the keeper and was educated in schools in Maine, Massachusetts and Ohio. He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Coast Guard. He was a life member of St. Aspinquid Lodge AF & AM No. 198, York; a member of Scottish Rite Bodies, Augusta and Portland; a member of Kora Temple Shrine, Lewiston; a life member of Washington Chapter No. 16 Royal Arch Masons, Machias; a former member of Pine Cone Chapter No. 26 Order of the Eastern Star, Auburn; a life member of Rumery Chapter No. 46 Order of the Eastern Star, Jonesport; and a member of Maine Association of Retirees, Augusta. For several years Philmore was a lobster fisherman out of York Harbor. He then moved back to Jonesport, where he engaged in sardine seining and scallop dragging. He worked for Belfast Canning Co. as an engineer and later captain of the sardine carrier, Edward M. In 1967 he was hired as a custodian at Central Maine Vocational Technical Institute, now known as Central Maine Community College, Auburn. He worked there for 171/2 years, retiring in 1985, and moved back to Jonesport. Philmore was an avid deer hunter and duck hunter. He also carved sea birds and songbirds, and won many ribbons in contests he entered.
Philmore is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Florence A. (Manchester); one daughter, Sharon Lakeman and husband, Charles, of Jonesport; one son, Philmore Jr. and wife, Janice, of West Springfield, Mass.; six granddaughters, Stephanie and husband, Steven Baillargeon, of Old Town, and their children, Molly and Lucas, Stacey and husband, Jeffrey Balicki, and their children, Jordyn and Riley Amelia, of Italy, Carrie and husband, Douglas Flagg, of Berwick, and their children, Alyssa, Evan, Mallory and Ryan, Gina and husband,
Matthew Collins, of West Springfield, Mass., and their children, Alexandria, Cameron and Aidan, Michelle Lakeman of Port Richey, Fla., and Cheri Lakeman of Jonesport; two grandsons, Shaun Smith and wife, Christine, of South Berwick, and their children, Mallory, Connor, Cayley and Macey, and Kevin Lakeman and wife, Vicki, of Denmark, Maine, and their children, Kristopher and Traci; two sisters, Ruth Repple of Redondo Beach, Calif., and Mary Sine of Pomona, N.Y.; two brothers, Coleman Smith of York and Charles Smith and wife, Pat, of Pensacola, Fla.; sisters-in-law, Barbara Smith of Hatfield, Pa., Ivy Gould of Friendship, Dorothy White of West Bath and Vannie Alley of Jonesport; one brother-in-law, Thurston Manchester of Addison; many nieces, nephews, and cousins, who he loved dearly. Philmore was predeceased by his parents; and a brother, Hoyt Smith.
Friends are invited to a public visitation 1 p.m. Tuesday, March 1, until noon Wednesday at Philmore’s home, 1 Ledge St., Jonesport. Funeral services with Masonic services and military honors will be held 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 2, at Community of Christ Church, Jonesport, with Pastor Sharon Church officiating. Burial will be at Greenwood Cemetery, Jonesport and announced at a later date. Donations may be made in his memory to Rumery Chapter No. 46, Jonesport, care of Susan Mills, secretary, P.O. Box 26, Jonesport, ME 04649. Arrangements are in care of McClure Family Funeral Services, Machias and Lubec.