BANGOR and CARIBOU – Robert William Phillips passed away peacefully in his sleep the morning of Jan. 10, 2012, after a courageous struggle with cancer. He was born Nov. 3, 1929, in Caribou, to Edward Stratton Phillips and Helen Levesque Phillips.
He graduated from Caribou High School and Montgomery College in Maryland. He went on to serve in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. On Aug. 28, 1954, he married Albertine Theriault. They were devoted parents to their six children and five grandchildren. Robert was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing and camping in northern Maine. His fondest memories were spent with family and friends at his favorite place on earth, his camp at Cross Lake. He was a well-known and successful business owner of Phillips Electric until his retirement.
Robert is survived by his devoted wife of 57 years, Albertine; daughter, Carol Newcombe of Brewer; daughter, Gayle Baber and her husband, Brett, of Veazie, and their children, Lindsay, Matthew, Kristian and Makenzie; daughter, Patricia Phillips and Tom Roeber and their son, Graham Roeber, of Yarmouth; son, David Phillips of Portland; youngest daughter, Lori Phillips of Rolla, Mo.; and a special cousin, G. Frederick Lombard of Georgia. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by an infant daughter, Beth Ann; very caring grandmother, “Nana” Rachel Doyle Phillips, who lovingly raised him; another special cousin, Donald Lombard; several aunts and uncles. The family is especially grateful to the gracious care given by Beacon Hospice and the staff at Winterberry Heights and Ross Manor.
Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 14, at St. Paul the Apostle Parish, St. John’s Catholic Church, York Street, Bangor, with the Rev. Timothy Nadeau officiating. Friends and family are invited to celebrate Robert’s life and fellowship immediately after the Mass at the church hall downstairs. Committal services will be later this spring in Caribou. Those wishing to make a donation in Robert’s memory may do so to Beacon Hospice, Bangor; or CancerCare Center of Maine, Brewer.