PHilip Sawyer Obituary (1928)

MANCHESTER - Philip K. Sawyer, 78, passed away peacefully Sunday, November 19th, at MaineGeneral Medical Center, Augusta, with his family at his side, after a brief illness. He was born in Reading MA on January 9th, 1928, the son of Frederick Dutton and Harriet (Flanders) Sawyer. He entered the Navy in 1945 and proudly served as part of the Inaugural crew of the USS Rupertus out of San Francisco. His first sea duty aboard the Rupertus was in the China Sea, picking up survivors and refugees from the islands off the coast of China in the last days of WW11. Upon returning to port he went on to work aboard the tugboats in San Francisco servicing the Pacific Fleet upon their return to port. In 1952 he married Edith (Dee) Adams and they spent the next 54 years building their lives together, raising two sons, traveling from base to base and finally settling back in Manchester, Maine. Phil also served in the USAF , Strategic Air Command, stationed at Otis Field, MA, Elmendorf AFB, Anchorage, AK and Griffiss AFB, Rome NY. Upon his return to Maine he enlisted in the Army reserves as part of the Transportation Company. He stayed with his unit until his retirement. He also retired from Carleton Woolen Mills where he worked in the wet finish department and, prior to his retirement, in the maintenance department. To Phil, his family and his country always came first in his life. He loved going to the Windsor Fair each year for the Veterans Ceremony. His patriotism was evident when his slightly hunched stance would transform to a ramrod straight stature when the colors were unfurled in his presence. His love, admiration, and respect for his fellow veterans was always foremost in his heart when he stood with his Band of Brothers, each year paying their respects to those who had fallen before them and reminiscing with those still among them about the truest heroes that never made it home. He loved deep sea fishing out of Boothbay Harbor and we will always cherish the memories made there. Upon his retirement, Phil spent much of his time working in his yard. Early on in his retirement he would often have a sidekick tagging along with him, such as his granddaughter, Cynthia, or as he loved calling her, ?his Cinderella?, and in the last few years his sweets maker, Samantha. Phil was predeceased by his parents, Harriet Visconti and Frederick Sawyer; his step father, Vincent Visconti; his sisters, Helen Brunelle and Elizabeth Robinson; and his brothers, George (Skip) Sawyer and Harold Sawyer. He is survived by his wife, Edith (Dee) Sawyer; his sons, Ronald J. Sawyer & his wife, Jean, of Youngstown, NY and Thomas V. Sawyer & his wife, Annette, of W. Gardiner; his twelve grandchildren, Dana Sawyer & wife, Denise, Jon Sawyer & wife, Stephanie, R.J. Sawyer, Robbie Sawyer, Jamie Sawyer, John Sawyer & wife, Christine, Cathy Sawyer, Amanda Zall & husband, Jake, Cynthia Sawyer & fianc?, Ben Muniz, Christina Sawyer & fianc?, Steve Hunter, Samantha Sawyer and Angel Sawyer; and his seven great grandchildren, plus the two which will join this family soon. Phil leaves a large number of nieces, nephews, brother-in-laws, sister?in-laws, and great nieces and nephews, far too many to list individually, but they all know the love, respect, pride, and comfort he took from having you all in his life. He was so proud to be part of this extraordinary family. A celebration of Phil?s life will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 27th, at Roberts Funeral Home, 62 Bowdoin St., Winthrop. A committal service with full military honors will follow at 12:00 Noon in the chapel at the new Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Mount Vernon Rd., Augusta.