Philip E. Brooks

Philip E. Brooks, 85
WELLS -- Philip E. Brooks of Wells passed peacefully on Feb. 16, 2012 at York Hospital with his family at his side. He was born Aug. 25, 1926 in York, son of Edgar P. and Almyra Griggs Brooks.
He is survived by his wife Vera; and five daughters, Christine Shesler and husband Carl of Madison, N.J., Carol Petelle and husband David, Melodie Hardy and husband Dennis, Marlene Brooks, Paula Chase and husband Christopher, all of Wells; 10 grandchildren; two great-granddaughters; a sister, Mabelle Briggs of Wells; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by two brothers who died in infancy.
Philip spent the last three months of high school with the National Youth Administration at Quoddy learning the basics of sheet metal trade. He came back to Wells High School to graduate with his class of 1943. He returned to Quoddy to ride the final train from the NYA School in July 1943.
He turned 17 in August 1943 and had his papers filled out so he was in Navy Boot Camp five days after his 17th birthday. He spent four years in the Navy attaining rate of Electronic Technician first class.
Following his tour of duty, he returned to Wells and joined the family Plumbing and Heating business and soon met the love of his life, Vera Alberta Hill. They were married on July 2, 1949.
Philip was very involved with his community and belonged to: Ogunquit Grange; Ogunquit Order of Redmen; Wells-Ogunquit Lions Club; Wells-Ogunquit Historical Society; York County Master Plumbers Assoc.; Wells Congregational Church, where he served on most boards, taught Sunday School and was leader of the Youth Group; Board of Directors, Waban Assoc.; Ocean Lodge #142 AF & AM; Scottish Rite Bodies of Portland; Scottish Rite Pioneer Club of York County; Kora Shrine of Lewiston; York County Shrine Club; Charter member of the Renegade Unit of Kora and Wells Beach Hose Company.
Philip and Vera enjoyed camping, skiing and traveling, and following his retirement in 1988 they visited all 50 states and most of Canada's provinces, several European countries, Mexico and some Caribbean Islands.
A Celebration of his life to include Masonic Services is planned for March 3, 2012 at 11 a.m. at the Wells Congregational Church, Route One, Wells, Maine, with the Reverend Herb Henry officiating. Arrangements are being handled by Hope Memorial Chapel, 480 Elm St., Biddeford, ME 04005. To share condolences online, please visit www.HopeMemorial.com.
Memorial donations can be made to: The Shriner Children's Hospital 2900 Rocky Point Drive
Tampa, Fla. 33607 or online
donorrelations@shrinenet.org or a charity of your choice
Philip E. Brooks