Obituary of Philip James McBrien

Philip James McBrien, 93, died March 2, 2011, in Appleton. His final wish was to pass at home surrounded by his family, and his wish was fulfilled. The son of James Luther McBrien and Louise Prindall McBrien, Phil was born in Lynn, Massachusetts, on April 4, 1917. He graduated from Brewster Academy, in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire. Before moving to Maine in the mid-1950s, he lived in Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New Hampshire. Phil was a proud veteran of World War II and the Korean War. He was a member of the elite Special Forces of the United States Navy, serving in France with its Underwater Demolition Team as a frogman (precursor to the Navy Seals). During the Vietnam War, he worked for Colt’s Manufacturing in Connecticut, making firearms for U.S. soldiers. Friends and neighbors often called Phil a “one-man band” because of his exceptional musical abilities. Entirely self-taught, he played the clarinet, saxophone, guitar, banjo, accordion, and piano. For many years he was a star of the annual Cabin Fever Reliever talent show in Liberty. He frequently played at local dances, and his daughter Betty fondly remembers tagging along when he played at ski resorts all over Maine. Phil loved the outdoors and went hunting and fishing whenever he could. He was also an avid golfer. A lifelong prankster, he entertained family and friends with tales of his adventures. He also always had a joke or two to tell. A lover of books, Phil was always reading. He also held strong opinions and wrote many letters to the editor of the Republican Journal on subjects he felt especially passionate about. Throughout his long life, Phil was a hard worker. He was a lumberjack (BC & AC), barber, railroad worker, auto mechanic, mill foreman, leather worker, security officer, turnkey corrections officer, and salesman for Saladmaster cookware. He worked at Chemtron chemical plant in Searsport. He painted houses, caned chairs, and worked as a carpenter on the first condominiums built on Sugarloaf Mountain. He was also an organic farmer, raising cows, pigs, chickens, sheep, and a wide variety of vegetables, including peanuts, on his 100-acre farm in Montville. Phil was predeceased by his wife, Mabel F. McBrien; his daughter, Constance Leal; and his dog, Tyler. He is survived by six of his seven children and their families: Theodore and Nancy McBrien of New Fairfield, CT, and his son Travis; Patrick James and Diane McBrien of Greig, NY, and their children Stacey, Tina, and Patrick, Jr.; Robert and Nancy McBrien of Rockport, ME, and their children Harvey, Angela, and Spring; Peggy McBrien and Richie Carr of Palermo, ME, and her children Josh, Holly, and James; Katherine and Steve Carpenter of Cape Coral, FL, and their children Erin and Jason; and Betty McBrien of Appleton, ME, and her daughters Jessica and Molli. Phil had 11 great grandchildren and four great great grandchildren. He also leaves behind his special friends Charlie Edgecombe, Kermit Flanders, and Ed and Debbie Perry; and his CNA, Marie Edgecombe, who became a very trusted friend during his final illness. He will also be missed by his constant companion, his dog Skippy. A celebration of Phil’s life will be held at 1875 W. Appleton Rd., Appleton, at 2 p.m. on April 2. All are welcome. Everyone who plays an instrument is encouraged to bring it, as one of Phil’s greatest pleasures was having musical jams at the house. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Good Shepherd Food-Bank, P.O. Box 1807, Auburn, ME 04211, or www.gsfb.org. Arrangements under the care of Crabiel-Riposta Funeral Home, 182 Waldo Avenue, Belfast. On-line condolences may be offered to the family at www.ripostafh.com.