Obituary of Wilfred Phil E. Phillips

Wilfred E. "Phil" Phillips, 64, passed away on Sunday, Nov., 24, 2013. Born an identical twin on Feb. 18, 1949, in Beverly, Mass., he spent his youth in Manchester-by-the-Sea, Mass., and graduated from Manchester High School, class of 1967. A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, Phil's first career was as a chef and restaurant manager in Massachusetts, Vermont, and Maine. While living in Vermont, Phil developed a love of hunting and firearms. His avocations eventually lead to a second career as a gunsmith. Moving to Lamoine some 30 years ago, Phil felt right at home in Maine, where he was able to enjoy the outdoors, hunting, hiking, kayaking and shooting. Having grown up in a small seaside town, Lamoine had everything to offer him. Phil was known and accepted to be one of the most knowledgeable and able gunsmiths in Maine. For over 30 years he owned Phil's gun shop and worked cooperatively for Willey's Gun Shop in Ellsworth. He taught firearms safety classes for over 20 years and was always a strong supporter of citizens' rights to own firearms. His other passions included photography, culinary arts, travel, the Red Sox, NE Patriots and spending time with his children and grandchildren. Phil was survived by his identical twin brother, Billy of Naples, Fla., with whom countless vacation stories will entertain the family for years to come. He is also survived by four children and their spouses, Candy Davidson of Silver City, N.M., Chip Phillips of Tampico, Mexico, Lucas Phillips of Mobile, Ala., and Autumn Allen of Hermon. He is also survived by five grandchildren, Jennifer Jenkerson, Kristen and Matthew Davidson, Lukas Phillips, and Madeline Allen; one great-grandchild, Ashlynn Jenkerson; his aunt, Jane Burbank; many cousins; and his dear friends, Ann, Ross, and Roddy Grant. He was predeceased by his parents, William and Dorothy Phillips. The words that come to his family's mind about him: Larger than life, accepting, inspirational, knowledgeable, loving, certain, generous, FUN, great sense of humor, lovable and strong. At Phil's request, there will be no services. His wish was to have his ashes scattered in Frenchman's Bay with his beloved husky, Blue. A memorial gathering will be held 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 29, at the China Hill in Ellsworth.