Philip Arnold Gerrish

Philip Arnold Gerrish It's with great sadness to share the loss of Philip Gerrish (86 years) on March 25, 2024, after a brief illness. Philip was born July 27, 1937. A lifelong resident of Lebanon, Maine, he spent his life living with and conquering Spina bifida with stoic endurance. Philip worked as a leather cutter at Prime Tanning Company in Berwick, Maine, and at the Woolen Mill in Gonic, N.H. He was very proud of his family and to have worked on his grandparents' farm. Philip enjoyed hunting, brook fishing, gardening and cooking. His pizza parties on Christmas Eve were legendary. He particularly liked chickens! He had had many flocks over the years and delig hted in caring for and observing them. He loved to cook from scratch; it was important to him to make sure anyone who visited left full. Gardening meant a lot to him; watching things grow and blossom. Philip also loved to watch children grow. He always had an open candy jar filled with goodies. He had a passion for the local fairs, including Rochester Fair and Fryeburg Fair. He also enjoyed watching golf, Boston Red Sox, and the New England Patriots. He was an avid woodworker, making many articles of furniture and decorations to give away and to sell. He previously entered his creations in the Rochester Fair and won many ribbons and well-deserved recognition. He is predeceased by his parents, his brother, Martin Gerrish, his Sister Joan Butcher, nephew Michael Butcher. He is survived by wife Ann Gerrish of 64 years, and their three children, Terri Gerrish and husband Larry, Jay Gerrish and wife Pamela, Thomas Gerrish and wife Jessica, brothers Gilbert Gerrish and Theodore (Peter) Gerrish, sister-in-law Mary-Jane Ward, Grandchildren; Derrick Hersom, Miranda Anair, Andrew Gerrish, Alison Cormier, Parker Gerrish, Samantha Gerrish, 8- great-grandchildren and 3-on the way, and many nieces and nephews. A very special Thank You to his neighbors and friends Stan & Pam, Basil, and Sharon, as well as Frisbie Memorial Hospital staff and Portsmouth Regional Hospital staff: IVCU, and Hospice care. Arrangements made by R. M. Edgerly and Sons Funeral home in Rochester, NH Interment will be at Forest Grove Cemetery in North Lebanon, Maine after a private burial. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Fryeburg Fair Association or Spina Bifida Association of Greater New England.