WINTHROP ? Augustin Joseph 'Gus' Philippon, 89, of Bowdoin Street, died Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2002, at his home after a long illness. He was born in St. Evariste, Canada, March 18, 1913, to Isadore and Adelia (Nadeau) Philippon and was the ninth of 10 children. He was educated in Canadian schools before coming to Maine in October 1929, at the age of 16. His positive attitude and easygoing personality kept him employed throughout the years in the local mills and turned him into a Jack-of-all-trades and master-of-most. His strong will and determination to fight kept him going since 1961 when the doctors told him he would never be able to work again. His courage was admired by many. Gus was always willing to lend a helping hand and was always there whenever someone needed him. He was a very honest, hardworking person who always put his family first. His patient, yet fun loving personality was a comfort to many. He was a great storyteller and kept his family amused for hours with stories of his youth. He was one of the first volunteers at the hot meals kitchen at St. Francis Xavier Parish Hall, where he volunteered for 14 years. He had to stop his work there when his eyesight got bad, but continued to walk down each day for lunch and to enjoy the company of the many friends he had made there. Then, almost every afternoon he would walk down to the local coffee shop to have coffee with his buddies. He was a member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Winthrop and one of the charter members of the Knights of Columbus, advancing to 3rd degree before having to resign. Gus enjoyed being outside, vegetable gardening, playing his harmonica, making maple syrup, walking, and above all, he most enjoyed being with his family. He was predeceased by his wife, Simone in 1990; four brothers, Rosario, Joseph, Philippe and Maurice; three sisters, Angeline Gagne, Louise Ouellette, and Eva Lachance. He will be sadly missed by three daughters, Constance Carey and her husband, Earl, of North Monmouth, Dot Philippon of Winthrop, and Nancy Butler and her husband, Alan, also of Winthrop; a brother, Ted Philippon of Winthrop; a sister, Candide Henry of East Corinth; seven grandchildren, Ann Mason and her fiance, Steve Ward, of Winthrop, Linda Mason and Michele Pilote of North Monmouth, David Carey and his companion, Christina Edmonds of Lewiston, James Carey and his fiancee, Trish Linscott, of North Monmouth, Melinda Whitcomb and her husband, John, of Sidney, and Karen Sylvester and her husband, Chad, of Turner; 14 great-grandchildren, Katherine, Sarah, Richard and Patrick Mason of Winthrop, Deanna and Eric Mason of North Monmouth, Justin and Nicole Pilote of Lewiston, Calvin Carey of North Monmouth, Ashley and Calley (Edmonds) Carey and Emily Rose Carey of Lewiston, Izaah Carey of North Monmouth and Abigail Whitcomb of Sidney; and several nieces and nephews. Gus was an amazing man who was loved by everyone he met. He will be deeply and sadly missed and will never be forgotten. Visiting hours will be held from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 29, at Roberts Funeral Home, 68 Bowdoin St., Winthrop. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10 a.m. Monday at St. Francis Xavier Church, with the Rev. Brian Blanchette as celebrant. Spring burial will be in Glenside Cemetery in Winthrop. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Macular Degeneration Foundation, P.O. Box 515, Northamton MA. 01061, or the Kidney Foundation of Maine, P.O. Box 1134, Portland 04101.