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Norman Phillips Obituary
Norman "Ed" Phillips Jr., 73
MOODY - Our partner, father, brother, uncle and friend was born Sept. 20, 1944, in Ardmore, Okla., the son of the late Norman and Maurine Phillips. He died peacefully on the day of his 73rd birthday. He resided in Moody, Maine.
Ed graduated from Deering High School in Portland in 1962, where he was a standout athlete, excelling in baseball, football and basketball. He attended Colby College where he continued to excel in baseball, leading the nation in Earned Run Average and pitching a no-hitter against rival University of Maine during his senior year. He was one of the greats in school history, and Colby College retired his number in 2016.
In 1966, Ed was signed by the Boston Red Sox, working his way through their minor league system, which included pitching a perfect game while playing in Winston-Salem, N.C. In 1970, he was promoted to the Red Sox and debuted in Yankee Stadium as a relief pitcher, where, with bases loaded, he threw two pitches and got the Sox out of the inning.
In 2016 he was inducted into the Maine Sports Hall of Fame. The induction was attended by numerous family members and friends as well as several members of the 1957 Portland Little League All Star team that he helped pitch into the Maine State Championship and regional playoffs in New York.
After his baseball career, Ed became a water treatment consultant and later owned and operated his own business, Nu-Air Corporation, an air filtering business. Ed and Barbara enjoyed traveling and took many cruises and road trips. He enjoyed the game of golf and loved playing with close friends Rick, Bruce, Jim and Ken. He was also a skilled woodworker and was always involved in a home remodeling project.
He is survived by his fiancée of 18 years, Barbara Page; his daughter, Brooke Phillips; his sister, Mary Davis, and husband Edward; niece Kristin Schierer and husband Chris; nephew James Davis and wife Robin; several grandnieces and grandnephews; and a legion of friends.
The family wishes to express special thanks to the staff of Hospice of Southern Maine for their loving care during Ed's final months.
Friends and family are invited to attend at time of visitation from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 30, 2017 at the Jones, Rich & Barnes Funeral Home, 199 Woodford St., Portland. A Celebration of Life service will be held immediately following at 1 p.m. at the Funeral Home. Interment will be at a later date in the Laurel Hill Cemetery in Saco, Maine. Online condolences can be given to the family at: www.jonesrichandbarnes.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Norman Phillips
Sal Manforte
October 2, 2017
Ed and I were roommates during away games for the Colby baseball team. We traveled together from Boston to Florida for three years. I cherish the memories of those days, and all the other times we spent together. He was a special friend. There is an empty space in my heart which is only filled when I think about this wonderful guy.
Terry Clark
September 30, 2017
I met Eddie at Colby in 1966. We were fraternity brothers and had many memorable times together. He was fun-loving and charismatic. I was fortunate to have reconnected with him last year at our 50th reunion. He will be missed. My deepest condolences to his family and friends.
Hona Longstaff
September 30, 2017
Sad day. That stride, that smile, that voice will live on in the lives of anyone who had the pleasure of knowing Eddy. Deepest condolences to family and friends.
Hona Longstaff
Dick Capp
September 28, 2017
Dear Mary,
Sorry to hear of your loss. What a great family. As a next-door neighbor, your brother and I spent many hours shooting hoops in your backyard.Your Mother was the best. Keeping Ed and I hydrated in the summer with Oklahoma sweet tea and hot choclate in the winter. A second Mom. Twenty years after graduation I called your Mom from Ardmore and she recognized my voice. She gave me an update on Ed and your family.You all are the best.
Fifty-Five years later I get an email from Ed saying he was nominating me for Maine Sports Hall.He never mentioned his health and constantly followed up to ensure I completed the forms.That's a special person that I will never forget. Your family has a special place in my character and heart.
Dick Capp
MaryLou (Dickinson) DeBisschop
September 26, 2017
Dear Mary. It has been many years since I lived with your wonderful family on Concord Street while student teaching in Portland. Miss Smith also lived there during the week while teaching at Deering High School. You were in high school and Ed was at Colby. I did get to meet him on a winter break and we had some good times together. So many years ago yet so many good memories. TIme certainly has a way of passing very quickly.
My husband and I are part time residents of Maine and while reading the paper this week, I was saddened to see of Ed's passing. Please know that you and your entire family will be in my thoughts and prayers as you move forward in the weeks and months ahead. You certainly must be comforted by the beautiful tributes to your brother. A life well lived..
MaryLou (Dickinson) DeBisschop
Falmouth Maine/Plantsville CT
Denis and Debbie Dinsmore
September 26, 2017
Barb and family, saddened by hearing of Ed passing, we are thinking of you and stay strong keeping all those wonderful times together close to the heart.
Bill O'Flynn
September 25, 2017
Ed was a great guy and my friend since the 3rd grade. Through those years I saw one common trait, those that knew him, loved him. He brought much joy to many--let's celebrate his life as he would have wanted.
May God bless you Ed!
Barry Hanson
September 24, 2017
Big Ed,
You left your mark.....respect always!
Your classmate and teammate
Barry Hanson
DHS 62
Hattie Duford
September 24, 2017
Barb and family.. am very sad to hear about Ed... wonderful athlete wonderful friend wonderful Dad and fiancé.....my sincere caring sympathy to you.. Not able to be there❤
Bobby Murphy
September 24, 2017
It is with great emotional sadness I write this memo of my memories with Eddie. I played baseball for Cheverus from 1958 through 1961 and then played for Boston College from 61-65. We did play Colby. He was a true friend during those years. We used to play on the playgrounds of the city when Leroy Rand worked for the Park Department, as kids. Eddie was one of the most honorable people I ever met. I said the same of Dick Joyce my team mate who went to Holy Cross. They were similar in talent and ethics and both played professionally . I remember lining a drive ball off his knee and was so concerned about him after the single. I left the bag and rushed to him. Sonny Noel called me out for leaving the bag. Eddie said he had a base hit. Let him be and then he picked me off trying to steal second. I would describe him as constant TRUE GRIT WITH A HUGE SMILE. I saw him last, at Dick Joyce's memorial at Cheverus at which he attended. We had a great conversation about life and handling the things we must adapt to. For me, I always seem to experience something I would define as EXTRME EMOTIONAL MISERY as opposed to just sadness after I have had happiness with someone so humane and kind.
Bobby Murphy Cheverus 1961
Robert JC Murphy
71 Vineyard Meadows Farm
Vineyard Haven, MA 02568
[email protected]
Sue Jenkins
September 24, 2017
Eddie was my friend for over 60 years and we were always in contact. I shall miss his teasing and laughter as we always talked about our memories together. My warmest wishes go out to Barbara, Mary and Ed and the rest of the family. I shall hold you all in my thoughts as you go through this difficult time. Sue Emery Jenkins, DHS 62
Rick Lund
September 24, 2017
Barbara and family, my thoughts and prayers are with you daily. Ed was a great friend and I have been blessed to have shared a lot of time with him. Thanks for allowing me to help out during his illness. His memory will never fade.
Gary Moore
September 24, 2017
Condolences to the family..Ed was a fine guy.
Bob Thiesing
September 22, 2017
My condolences and prayers to your family. It was great knowing you. You were one hell of an athlete. From Bob Thiesing, classmate at Deering High 58-62. Football, Basketball, Baseball and American Legion Teammate.
Harriet Caplan
September 22, 2017
Eddie was one of my very favorite high school friends. All those wonderful games! I'm so sorry I never got back to Portland to see him again. May he rest in peace. Such a good, decent man!
Gary Knight
September 22, 2017
Will always remember the first year that UM went to college world series. Maine lost the State of Maine title to Colby losing 2-1 and 1-0. The winning pitcher both games was my classmate Eddie Phillips! A great athlete and very good man. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him. Colby retired his uniform number at his 50th college reunion which was much deserved. My sincerest condolences to Barbara and his family.
Kathy Garafalo
September 22, 2017
Dear Barbara,
We were so privileged to have known Ed. You both are the best neighbors we could have ever asked for. Our deepest sympathies go out to you and your family.
Love Peter, Kathy Nick and Tricia Garafalo
Ted borduas
September 22, 2017
Ed and Dick Joyce were two of the most polished gentlemen I have ever been fiends with. I will remember you in my prayers, ED
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