FORTUNES ROCKS BEACH- Malcolm Winter Philbrook 1934 - 2026
The Patriarch of the Philbrook Family, Malcolm Winter Philbrook, born
February 18,1934 died on April 7, 2026, surrounded by loving family at the
home he and his wife, Sandra Gibson Philbrook created at Fortune Rocks
beach. Known as Fuzzy to friends, Dad to his six children, Bampie to his
eighteen grandchildren and twenty-two greatgrandchildren all of whom
cherished time spent with him. He will forever be the best listener and
conversationalist bar none.
Son of Dorothy and Malcolm Philbrook, Malcolm junior grew up in
Auburn with his sister Susan, graduated in 1951 from Edward Little High
School where his mother taught Latin. He attended Bates College and
Boston University School of Law earning an LLB in 1961 and served in the
Army from September 1953 to September 1955. He was admitted to the
Bar in 1961 and was a member of the Androscoggin Bar for many years
and active in the early Legal Aid Program.
He started his career as the Vice President/Trust Officer of the First
Manufacturers National Bank which became First Bank and subsequently,
Northeast bank. In 1971 he became a partner in the law firm of Crockett &
Philbrook and later, President of Crockett Philbrook and Crouch PA until
December 31, 2015. He was often seen walking up and down Goff Hill, to
and from work to have lunch with his wife. He also commuted to work from
Penessawassee Campground many summers where he enjoyed camping
with the Masses, Cloughs, Anthoines, and LeBels.
He valued community involvement and served as Chairman of the
United Way, Treasurer of the Auburn Children’s Home, a leader of the
YMCA building fund and the Joint CMG and St Mary’s Fund. Chairman of
the Board of St. Mary’s/Sisters of Charity Healthcare System and President
of the Lewiston Auburn Chamber of Commerce primarily responsible for the
creation of the Auburn-Lewiston Sports Hall of Fame. As Chairman of the
Auburn Recreation Committee, he was responsible for obtaining ownership
of the Hasty Memorial Armory for the Auburn Recreation Department. He
became a member of the Lewiston-Auburn Rotary Club in1964, serving as
its president in 1974-75 and later became the first President of the Auburn
Lewiston Rotary Breakfast Club which allowed him to play handball at
noon. In 1974 he was named Auburn’s Man of the Year. He was a member
of the committee to establish a 911 program in our community and a
charter member of the Auburn Grandstand Club volunteering with very
good friends such as the Petersons, Bradburys and Austins. In 1972 he
became a director of Patron-Oxford Mutual Insurance Company where he
served 38 years. In 1976 he became a Director of Peoples Savings Bank
which after a series of mergers became Banknorth Group. On this board he
served as chairman on various committees and Co-chairman of the Board
participating in the 2006, in the “ringing of the bell” at the New York Stock
Exchange when Banknorth Group became a member.
One of his most rewarding efforts was as President of the Winter
Foundation which created Hoop Basketball Camp in 1971 with his brother
in-law, Fern Masse, providing generations of Maine youth the opportunity to
learn to play basketball in a camp setting.
Though his community involvement was robust, his family was
always first and foremost due to the love he and his wife shared for 70
years until her passing in 2020. Sandra and Fuzzy traveled through much
of Europe, especially Ireland and enjoyed hiking with family at Mount
Katahdin and Mount Washington but they mostly relished their time at their
beach house in Biddeford. They had six children that grew to over 60 family
members, all of whom love spending time together.
Malcolm is survived by five of their six children:
Scott Belanger, son-in-law
Sharon Bergeron and her husband Denis
Linda (Cookie) Dana and her husband Robert
Michael (Mickey) Philbrook and his wife Debora
Pamela Leary and her husband Justin
Karen Philbrook.
His 18 grandchildren:
Craig Belanger and his coparent Abigail
Nicole Labrie and her husband Steve
Ryan Belanger and his wife Rachel
Robert Belanger and his wife Kristen
Riley Bergeron
Calvin Bergeron
Jennifer Finch and her husband Dave
Katherine Dana
Elizabeth Slayton and husband Michael
Kyle Philbrook and his wife Lauren
James Philbrook
Kelly Philbrook
Cameron Leary and his wife Becca
Karen Leary
Bowen Leary and his wife Ally
Quinlan Leary and his wife Kailey
Douglas Philbrook
Josslyn Philbrook
His 20 great-grandchildren:
Grace Belanger
Mary Belanger
Bradley Belanger
Caroline Belanger
Max LaBrie
Anne LaBrie
Ellie LaBrie
Chance Belanger
Trey Belanger
Ivy Belanger
Millie Belanger
James Finch
Elizabeth Finch
Jack Finch
Vivienne Philbrook
Emerson Philbrook
Wesley Leary
Malcolm Leary
Dawson Leary
Elowen Leary
Survived by his sister, Susan Masse and her husband Fern, his
sister-in-law, Beverly Cough, his brother-in-law George (Pudgy) Gibson and
his wife Faye. Uncle Fuzzy will be missed by his many nieces and nephews
as well.
Malcolm is predeceased by his wife, Sandra, his daughter Deborah,
great-granddaughters Bella Belanger and Isla Leary, and his brothers-in
law William Clough and Robert Gibson.
Our Dad enjoyed his life and up until just recently, he exercised daily,
drove to visit family and was a big fan of the EL Boys Basketball Team that
his grandsons coached. He was a voracious reader, historian and rarely
beaten at cribbage. Per his request, we will honor Malcolm with a Private
Celebration of Life. Online condolence messages can be submitted at the
Chad E. Poitras Cremation and Funeral Service website
www.mainefuneral.com.
Contributions may be made in Malcolm’s name to:
Auburn Public Library
The Dorothy Philbrook Endowment Fund
40 Spring Street
Auburn, ME 04210
Arrangements have been entrusted to Poitras Funeral Homes, www.mainefuneral.com
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