WINTERPORT – Roderick James “Rod” Philbrick, 73, passed away unexpectedly April 26, 2017, at a Bangor hospital. He was born November 27, 1943, in Winterport, the son of Victor and Laura (Ridley) Philbrick.

Rod attended Winterport schools, where he played basketball, baseball, and enjoyed raising cain with his friends and older brothers. His first job was at Clements Chicks as a laborer. Rod was later hired as a truck driver. From that point on, he knew that he would always be a truck driver. Rod started his career in 1978, working for H.O. Bouchard, quickly knowing this was where he belonged and wanted to be for his entire career. 30 years later, he retired in 2008. He appreciated the confidence and high regard that Harold and Brian had for him. They knew they could always go to Rod with a difficult situation and they could rely on him to get the job done. Rod enjoyed gardening, immaculate lawns, working in his shop, doing things for others, and spending time with his family. His favorite time of all was relaxing in the evening with his cat, Tigger, curled up in his lap, sitting beside the woodstove, watching TV.

In addition to his parents, Rod is predeceased by brothers, Victor Philbrick Jr., and Harold “Shorty” Philbrick; sisters, Gertrude Cole, Ada Bradeen, and Laurie’s dad, Adfer Tenan. He is also recently predeceased by a special childhood friend of the family, Victor “Vickie” Wescott. Surviving, in addition to his loving lifetime companion of 25 years, Laurie (Tenan) Lee, a daughter, Sandra Adams and Joe Bishop of Frankfort; grandchildren, Jessie, Aaron, and Wynn Adams; great-grandson, Noah James Ha; brothers, Lewis and Mary Philbrick of Winterport, Basil and Janie Philbrick of West Virginia, and a sister, Gail Thompkins of Newport. Laurie’s mom, Lois Tenan of Cherryfield; brother and fiancé Arthur Tenan and MaryLou Carey of Surry, and many special nieces, nephews, their spouses, and cousins. Rod will be greatly missed by his coffee caucus, Jim F., Gary H., Mike T., Galen W., Galen K., and Bill R., who would get together 7 days a week at On The Run in Winterport, solving world problems.

Relatives and friends are invited to call 5-7 p.m. Friday, May 12, 2017, at Brookings-Smith, 133 Center Street, Bangor, where a memorial service will be held 10 am, Saturday, May 13, 2017 with Steve Nute, pastor of the Nealley’s Corner Church in Newburgh, officiating. The family invites relatives and friends to share in conversation and refreshments at the Family Reception Center of Brookings-Smith, 163 Center, Street, Bangor, immediately following the service. Interment will be private for the family at a later date. Those who wish to remember Rod in a special way may make gifts in his memory to the Bangor Humane Society, 693 Mt. Hope Avenue, Bangor, ME 04401. Condolences to the family may be expressed at Brookings-Smith.com