Philip Lord '44

Philip Wadleigh Lord died surrounded by his family in Warner on October 2, 2024 at the age of 98.

Philip was born on February 4th, 1926 in Kezar Falls, Maine to Frank and Doris Lord, and grew up on Maple Rock Farm with his two older brothers, along with uncles, aunts, cousins and many summer visitors -  friends looking to escape big city life.

He graduated from Fryeburg Academy in 1944 at age eighteen, and enlisted in the U.S. Army. While stationed at Fort Sill, in Kansas, he was trained as a surveyor in the Wichita Mountains. He was also stationed at Fort Riley and later Puerto Rico, finally completing his military service with the rank of Corporeal. He attended the University of Maine for four years on the G.I. Bill and graduated with a degree in Horticulture.
 
In 1952, he married Mary Henderson after being set up on a blind date with her by his sister-in-law who was determined to have her good friend become part of the Lord family. Following a honeymoon in cabin resorts on Lake Ossipee, he returned to work with the Eastern States Farmers Exchange (which later merged with several other agricultural companies to become Agway) in Westbrook, Maine. Shortly thereafter, he was promoted to assistant manager for the Dover, New Hampshire location before being promoted again to the position of regional farms system engineer.

After three moves between apartments in Gorham, ME, Dover and then Charlestown N.H., he and Mary decided to put down roots in Warner, a location that was geographically central to the New England territory he covered as a farm systems engineer.
 
An active member of the Warner community, he participated in the Men's Club, helping to run the Warner Ski Tow each winter. He planned and installed skating rinks for the town on the playgrounds of two local schools, and volunteered each year for the Warner Fall Foliage Festival. And, after a thirty-five year career with Agway, Phil retired and went on to serve as Warner Village Precinct Water Commissioner for more than twenty years.

Phil had many interests and a number of hobbies. He played ice hockey and basketball in high school and college. He enjoyed gardening. Each spring would find him mapping out plans for his summer vegetable and flower gardens. He owned and enjoyed riding motorcycles. He loved golf and spent many years practicing his putts and drives at Dustin Country Club and, years later, in Florida as a "snow bird". He was a scuba diver, water skier, and enthusiastic owner of a succession of boats - he loved his boats - especially his black boat with the cuddy cabin that matched the black truck that he used to haul to Lake Sunapee or Sebago Lake, his two favorite lakes. He was an ace ping-pong player and skilled pool player, not to mention that he was always up for a game of cribbage, Five Crown, Sequence, or what-have you.

His commitment to the idea of being able to do anything himself - design it-build it-fix it or find it at the transfer station and restore it - was legendary. A champion of recycling, he was ahead of the curve. We didn't have many "new" things growing up, but the truth is, we didn't care. We admired his passion, his determination, and above all, his unwavering spirit of fun. Always young at heart, he was very much a generous and witty grandfather who reveled in his role as teacher and super-hero-fixer-upper of broken things. He was one of a kind.

Phil is predeceased by his parents, his two older brothers, Jay and Howard, and a countless number of very dear extended family members, friends and neighbors.

Surviving family members include his wife, Mary, and his four children. J. Merrill Lord (wife Shelley), of Rye Beach, N.H. Robyn Lord Nichols (husband Paul) of Winter Garden, Florida, Dana Wadleigh Lord (wife Shirley) of Greeley, Colorado, and Alan David Lord of Warner, N.H. His grandchildren include Molly Lord Austin of Brighton, Colorado, Dr. Max Philip Austin of Tokyo, Japan, Calvin Ambrose Lord of Brooklyn, New York, and Sadie Pettit (husband Kyle) of Santa Rosa, California.

A celebration of life is scheduled for Monday, October 14, 2024 at 3:00 P.M. at The United Church of Warner. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Phil's life.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Warner Historical Society, P.O. Box 189, Warner, NH  03278. To sign an online guestbook, please visit www.chadwickfuneralservice.com.