Sidney E. Philbates Sr.

PHILBATES, Sidney E. Sr., 95, passed away on Friday, August 28, 2009 after a long battle with dementia. He was preceded in death by his first wife of 42 years, Edna Cumber Philbates; and his second wife of 20 years, Mary Bowes Philbates. He is survived by his two sons, Sidney E. Philbates Jr. and T. Marshall Philbates and his wife, Janie McKay Philbates ; his two grandchildren, Michelle Philbates and Renee Philbates Ashford and her husband, Brian; and his great-granddaughter, Madeleine Ashford. Sidney grew up on the banks of the Pamunkey River in New Kent County where he became an avid trapper, fisherman, hunter and small boat builder. He was a self-taught mechanic, electrician and carpenter. His occupations included sawmill operator, truck driver, pulpwood hauler, road builder and farmer. He was also employed by the C&O Railroad and worked as a tugboat operator in the marine department at Chesapeake Corporation of Virginia, from which he retired. The family will receive friends from 5 to 8 p.m. on Sunday, August 30, 2009 at the Vincent Funeral Home, 9923 Pocahontas Trail, Providence Forge, Va. The funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Tuesday, September 1 , at the Vincent Funeral Home, 9923 Pocahontas Trail, Providence Forge, Va., with burial following in Washington Memorial Park , 6217 Memorial Drive, Sandston, Va. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Meals on Wheels of Greater Richmond, Inc., 1600 Willow Lawn Drive, Richmond, Va. 23230 or the Alzheimer's Treatment & Research Center, 640 Jackson St., Saint Paul, Minn. Condolences can be registered at www.vincentfh.com.
This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.