EAST WATERBORO — Phillip M. Gardner, 97, formerly of East Waterboro, entered into rest on March 28, 2014 at his Huntington Common apartment in Kennebunk.
Phil was born in Fort Kent on March 10, 1917, to Levi and Sadie Gardner (Desjarden).
He graduated from Bangor High School in 1935 and attended Portland Junior College and The University of Maine in Orono, majoring in engineering and forestry.
Upon completion, he served his country in the U.S. Army as a member of the medical division. He served in the European Theater and fought during the invasion of Normandy. Phil received several service medals during his term in the military, including one from the government of France. He was discharged in 1946.
Phil was employed for many years in Alaska, where he held the position of senior manager of the Bureau of Land Management. During that time, Phil met his wife, Anne Sonnabend. They were married on Oct. 15, 1955 in Juneau, Alaska. The couple later retired to Kennebunk, before eventually relocating to East Waterboro.
Phil and Anne shared 38 years of marriage before she entered to rest on Sept. 1, 1993.
Phil enjoyed music, art and photography. He belonged to the Fraternal Lodge in Alfred, serving as the organist for many years, and was a 4th degree of the Knights of Columbus, where he had served as a grand knight. He was a dedicated member of St. Mathew’s Catholic Church in Limerick and had actively held several positions within the parish.
Phillip is survived by: his younger brother, Lawrence Gardner and his wife Linda of Newburgh; two nieces, Debora Baldacci and husband Peter of Bangor and Brenda Barr of Palm Bay, Florida; along with several other nieces and nephews.
A graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. on Monday, July 21 at the Pine Grove Cemetery in South Waterboro. Arrangements are under the direction of Black Funeral Homes and Cremation Service, Sanford-Springvale. To leave a message of condolences for the family, visit blackfuneralhomes.com.
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