Philip Charest

Philip D. Charest, 69, of Summerfield, Fla., and Sebago left this earth to start his new life in heaven, on Feb. 23, 2018. He was diagnosed with lung cancer in December 2016.

He spent his life loving and enjoying his family: his best friend and wife of 47 years, Claudette; his son, Roger; and his daughters, Llayna and Adelynn (“Addy”); his daughter, Dana, and three grandchildren.

His family meant the world to him and he was so proud of them all and their accomplishments.

Phil’s family and friends enjoyed many special times together during the last year, a week at a resort at Treasure Island, Fla.; Kaleb’s graduation from UMO; Llayna’s high school graduation; summer at their cottage on Sebago Lake; in Scarborough at Dana and Robbie’s new home for cookouts, birthdays, anniversaries, and bonfires; and many times at their Florida home, where Phil and Claudette retired in 2012, including this past Christmas. All are special gifts to be cherished.

Phil was in the Army and Air Force Reserves for six years. He worked 31 years at Central Maine Power Co. in many positions: lineman first class, trainer, distribution, transmission, trouble shooter and safety director, ending his career as a transmission supervisor when he quit on his 50th birthday to pursue other passions. He was a housing inspector for Westbrook Housing Authority. He was a Scout leader, a member of the Jaycees and Lions Club, coached baseball, and was on the Gorham Town Council. He was very active in Gorham, his hometown.

Attending his grandchildren’s sports — baseball, ice hockey, golf, soccer, dancing, field hockey and basketball — was one of his greatest passions. You could see Phil at Portland Ice at 5 a.m. or a basketball game at 6 p.m., but always at 6 a.m. at Rivers Edge Deli to join the coffee group to brag about his grandchildren and solve the problems of the world.

He had a passion for antique cars and owned many (40-plus), his favorite being his red and white 1955 Chevy Belair Resto Rod, which was a national winner.

Otherwise, he and Claudette spent time together expanding and maintaining their real estate holdings in Maine and Florida.

Phil and Claudette loved to travel, taking many Caribbean cruises; his favorite islands were St. Lucia and Bonaire. They traveled the United States and Canada with their children and grandchildren.

If you knew Phil, you knew he was “Livin’ the Dream” every day and you will remember and treasure the sound of his pocketful of Tic Tacs. He was good at cards and loved to play Texas Hold’em with friends in Maine and Florida, and Play Nine with his family and friends. He was the most caring and upbeat person, with a smile and a greeting for all he met. He often said he had no regrets; he lived a wonderful life. He will be dearly missed.

Besides his wife, children and grandchildren, he is survived by his sister, Pauline Leblanc, of Reno, Nev.; and an extended family of in-laws and nieces and nephews.

He is now reunited with his parents, Germain and Bernadette Charest; his brothers, David, Richard, Raymond and Roger; as well as other family and friends who have gone before.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, April 7, at noon at St. Anthony’s Church, Brown Street, Westbrook. A celebration of Phil’s life will take place that day from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the Elks Lodge, 1945 Congress Street, in Portland.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to your favorite charity.