Robert D. Philbrick

Robert Dean Philbrick, 82, of Gorham, beloved husband of Mary (Callan) Philbrick for 65 years, passed away peacefully at home on January third surrounded by his loving family. The son of Asa and Hazel Philbrick, he was born in Portland in 1933. Bob grew up in Bath graduating from Morse High School. He married his high school sweetheart, Mary Callan. Together, they raised nine children in Gorham. Bob was an athlete at Morse High School where he excelled in baseball and basketball. He was particularly proud of playing on three American Legion Baseball state championship teams with Smith Tobey Post of Bath. He earned a baseball scholarship to Boston University graduating in 1954. He earned a master’s degree in education from the University of Southern Maine. Bob taught school for 34 years beginning at Windham and Buxton High Schools before moving to South Portland Schools, where he spent most of his career. He coached basketball and baseball and was a long time athletic director at South Portland Memorial Junior High School. During the summers of his college years, Bob played semi-pro baseball in Canada. An avid sports enthusiast, Bob was involved in numerous sports activities. In addition to playing and coaching, he umpired and refereed for more than 30 years. Bob was active in the Portland Twilight Baseball League for many years as a player, coach and commissioner. The Deering Oaks baseball field was practically a second home. After his time with the Twilight League, Bob volunteered another thirty years with American Legion Baseball as a team general manager, zone commissioner and state field director. Bob was also the first permanent recreation director (part time) hired by the Town of Gorham. He was instrumental in organizing Gorham youth soccer, basketball, baseball and softball leagues. He also oversaw the building of many new fields and courts in the villages of Gorham, Little Falls and White Rock. In his retirement, Bob enjoyed his part time job delivering flowers for Barrows Greenhouse. In 1988 Bob was inducted into the Maine Baseball Hall of Fame and in 2006 the Maine Sports Legends Hall of Honor. Recently Bob was recognized by the Southern Maine Athletic Council for his 56 years of dedicated service to middle school athletes. Bob was passionate about his family. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and recent great-grandfather. He took great pride and joy in his large family and their lives, careers and accomplishments. In his later years, he took particular pleasure in being in the presence of his grandchildren. He is survived by his loving wife, Mary and his children: Jane (John) Goldsworth, Cathy (Steve) Waldstein, Jim Philbrick, Bob (Diana) Philbrick, David (Kelly) Philbrick, Carol (Paul) Petersen, Cindy (Richard) Campbell, Nancy Philbrick, and John (Mandy) Philbrick. His grandchildren: Joe, Adam (Alana) and Laura Waldstein, Mary Philbrick, Jason, Ian, Kevin and Maria Philbrick, Brandon and Callan Philbrick, Lucas and Levi Merrifield, Robert and Riley Campbell and one great-granddaughter Meredith Waldstein. He is also survived by his brother Donald Philbrick, his sister Linda Lavender and dear cousins Betty Donahue and Linda Case. Visiting hours will be held on Thursday, January 7, from 4-7 p.m. at the Dolby & Dorr Funeral Chapel, 76 State Street, Gorham. A memorial service will be held on Friday, January 8 at 1p.m. at the South Gorham Baptist Church, 53 County Road, Gorham. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Ronald McDonald House, 250 Brackett Street, Portland, Maine 04102 or to the VNA Home Health Hospice, 50 Foden Road, Suite 8, South Portland, ME 04106.

Robert D. Philbrick

February 23, 1933 - January 3, 2016

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