Phillip M. Kilmister

1933 - 2015

Phillip M. Kilmister died peacefully surrounded by his loving family Jan. 29, 2015, in St. Augustine, Fla., after a long illness. He was born in Norwich, Conn., on Nov. 3, 1933, the youngest child of the Rev. Percy A. Kilmister and Marion Briggs Kilmister. Upon the death of his father, when Phillip was 9 years old, his family moved to Concord, the prior home of his parents.

Phillip graduated from Concord High School in 1951 and entered Colby College from which he graduated in 1955. While at Colby, he majored in political science and was a member of Kappa Delta Rho fraternity, of which he was president his senior year. In college, he was active in debating and was also a three-year member of the varsity golf team. Upon graduation from college, he was drafted into the U.S. Navy from which he was honorably discharged in 1957. In 1957 he taught Social Studies at Franklin High School and the following year he taught social studies at Barre High School in Barre, Mass., (now Quabbin Regional High School), where he also served as the varsity baseball coach.

He fulfilled a lifelong ambition to become a lawyer by attending the University of Maine School of Law, from which he obtained his Doctor of Jurisprudence degree in 1963. Upon graduating from law school, Phillip moved to Orono, Maine, and became an instructor of business law and economics at Husson College in Bangor, Maine, where he also served as varsity coach of the golf team.

He was appointed as an assistant attorney general in the attorney general's office of the state of Maine in 1965 and after an interim period of private practice with Farris & Foley, he was reappointed to the attorney general's office in which he served until his retirement in 1992. While in public service, he acted as legal counsel for many different state departments and agencies and did extensive civil litigation and criminal prosecution.

In 1978, Phillip married Madeline A. Thibeau, formerly Madeline A. Couture, with whom he shared 36 wonderful years. Throughout his entire life, Phillip maintained an active interest and participated in golf, fishing, and going to the Maine coast as much as possible. He was a former member of the Augusta Country Club and a longtime member of Natanis Golf Club.

From his boyhood days and throughout his entire life, Phillip was a sports enthusiast and, in particular, an avid fan of the Cleveland
Indians. On a much more serious note than enjoying sports on both an amateur and professional level, Phillip maintained a deep faith and belief in a liberal political philosophy and agenda. He believed that the advancement of the civil rights movement was the greatest achievement that occurred in America during his lifetime. In literature, he was a great admirer of Henry David Thoreau.

In addition to his parents, Phillip was predeceased by his sisters, Nancy Johnson, Alice Davis and brother Paul. He is survived by his beloved wife, Madeline, and her three children, Scott Alan Thibeau of Winthrop, Mass., Michelle Hagan of Simsbury, Conn., and Gerald Thibeau of Charlotte, N.C.

Phillip leaves behind many much-loved nieces and nephews, including the children of his brother Paul and their families in Concord, and the children of his sisters Nancy and Alice and their spouses and families. He had particularly fond memories of taking his sister Alice's kids, when they were very young, to "frolic around" York Beach, Maine. He also leaves behind four step grandchildren, four sisters in law, and three brothers in law.

Phillip will always be remembered fondly by his friends and family for his great sense of humor, quick and sarcastic wit, and his passion for betting the horses. The "King of Trivia" leaves behind many wonderful memories for which we are thankful.

Burial services will be held by the family at a future date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of one's choice, "Sweetser" Children's Services, 50 Moody Street, Saco, Maine, 04072, or Community Hospice Bailey Family Center for Caring, 200 Health Park Blvd., St. Augustine, Fla., 32086.

St. Johns Family Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.