Laconia--Philip Phyllides, pictured here in the early 1950’s, died peacefully on September 2, in his home at the Ledges Community in Laconia. He was 98.
Philip was born in Haverhill, Massachusetts on April 29, 1912. He attended Northeastern University in Boston where he studied electrical engineering and then settled in Portsmouth in 1935. He was employed at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard as an electrical design engineer. After his retirement in 1971, Philip and his wife Mariolla Tekos Phyllides of Manchester, moved to the home he designed and built himself at Echo Shores in West Alton on Lake Winnipesaukee. In 1992, they moved to the Ledges Community. Mariolla predeceased Philip in 2002.
Philip’s interests and skills were wide and varied. At the Shipyard during WWII, he was an unofficial photographer for the submarine personnel, photographing submarines under way at sea, at launches, and at commissioning parties; he has donated his collection of submarine photos to the Kittery Naval Museum where they are available for viewing. The Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Design Division awarded Philip the Superior Accomplishment Award for his design of a submarine snorkel-system electrode that would operate in freezing temperatures; he completed the assignment in record time to support the War effort. He was an avid snow skier and tennis player, participating in both sports into his late 80’s. Philip was an oil-painting artist and photographer. His prize-winning photos and his paintings were shown at the Belknap Mill in Laconia some years ago.
Philip had a wonderful zest for life. He was inventive and adventurous. He and Mariolla traveled widely after his retirement in this country and abroad. Philip’s generosity, enthusiasm and humor, his keen and creative mind, and the ability to succeed in all his endeavors are an inspiration to his family. He enjoyed life to the fullest, and he will be dearly missed.
Philip is survived by his three daughters, Elaine Mavrikis of Somersworth, Joanne Phyllides of Lisbon, and Susan Selkirk of La Honda, California, three grandchildren, Cheryl Hill of Barrington, Craig Mavrikis of Elliot, and Christopher Mavrikis of Dover, and two great grandchildren, Spencer Hill and Alexander Mavrikis.
Philip’s memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 18, at 1:30PM, at the Wilkinson-Beane Funeral Home, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia. Internment was in Pine Grove Cemetery in Manchester, NH.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, N. H. is in charge of the arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial go to www.wilkinsonbeane.com