TOPSHAM — Real (Ralph) J. Philippon, a lifetime resident of Brunswick and Topsham, passed away on August 10, 2018 after a short illness. Real was born in Brunswick, Maine on February 18, 1937, the second child of Romeo and Cordelia Philippon. He graduated from Brunswick High School and spent several years in the Naval Reserves.

Real was a skilled carpenter, remodeling and building homes. He married Joan Fortin in 1957 and they had three children together. Real and Anne Doyle married in 1985 and she died of ALS just days before their 30th Anniversary. During their thirty years together they squared danced with the Sage Swingers Dance Club, were members of a Senior Bowling League, traveled to Alaska in their motorhome and flew to Italy to visit the ancestral home and family of Anne’s mother.

Before becoming disabled Real enjoyed cooking, hunting, fishing and keeping a garden.

He was great conversationalist and loved to tell stories.

Real is survived by his children, William and wife Patricia Philippon, Karen and husband Donald Sanders, of Topsham and Laurie Philippon and Walter Sieg of Florida, Timothy Doyle and Marcy Doyle of Topsham, six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Sisters Pauline, Venice and Sister-in-law Annette Philippon, his brothers, Roger and Maurice and many cousins, nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his wife and his brother Bertrand (Ben).

Special thanks to Midcoast Hospital staff and CHANS Hospice for his recent care.

Visiting hours will be held on Thursday, August 16, 2018 from 5:00 – 7:00pm at Demers-Desmond Funeral Home, 34 Cushing Street, Brunswick, ME 04011. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at St. John’s the Baptist Catholic Church, Pleasant St., Brunswick, on Friday, August 17th at 11:00 am.

To share your thoughts and condolences with the family, please visit www.desmondfuneralhomes.com.