TOPSHAM — Bertrand R. “Ben” Philippon, age 79 of Topsham, passed away peacefully on Monday, April 23, 2018 at the Brentwood Rehab and Nursing Center in Yarmouth.
He was born in Brunswick on August 18, 1938, a son of Romeo and Cordelia Morin Philippon.
He graduated from John A. Cone School in Topsham and attended Brunswick High School. He later received his GED from Portland Evening School.
He was employed as Produce Manager by the Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company (A&P) in Brunswick for several years, and then by Bath Iron Works as Material Handler in the Outside Machine Shop for 22 years, retiring in 2004.
He enjoyed hunting, but his major hobby was that of an arbor culturist. He landscaped his home corner lot perimeter with various trees with floral bushes within. He felt there should always be something in bloom during the spring, summer and fall months. He also enjoyed boating, canoeing, hiking, snowshoeing, skiing, traveling to Alaska, Hawaii and many places in between, and spending much time at his log cabin in Rangeley.
For many years, he was a member of the BIW Bowling League as well as a member of the Topsham Merry Meeters.
He is survived by his wife, Annette (Peggy) Wilson Philippon, his daughter, Katie and her husband, Jim Burak, and a grandson, Jacob Burak all of Topsham; two sisters, Pauline McBride of Spencer, MA, and Venice Matthews and her husband, Clinton of Topsham; three brothers, Real of Topsham, J. Roger and his wife, Virginia of Newington, CT, and Maurice and his long-time companion, Murial Blanchette of Augusta; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
The family wishes to thank the staff at Brentwood Center in Yarmouth, and the Hillhouse Assisted Living in Bath where he resided for eight years.
Ben lived with Alzheimer’s following diagnosis in 2005. Having passed away from this world, he is now free.
Visiting hours will be from 5 to 7PM Thursday, April 26 at the Brackett Funeral Home, 29 Federal Street, Brunswick. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Friday at St. John the Baptist Church, 39 Pleasant Street, Brunswick.
Condolences can be expressed to the family by visiting www.brackettfuneralhome.com.
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