Philip Boyd "Flipper" Ouellette

Phil Ouellette, 79, passed away after a brief illness, surrounded by family. Born October 15th, 1938, a mere 3 days after the birth of the love of his life, Chrystal Craig of Ashland, Maine.  He was fond of pointing out that Chrystal married a “younger man.” Phil was the beloved only child of Ken and Edith (Kelley) Ouellette, who raised their son between “the great city” of Caribou, Maine, and Phil’s “happy place,” his Grampy Kelley’s potato farm on Madawaska Road.  After Phil, a self-described “sports legend” of Caribou High School, graduated by the skin of his teeth, he was highly encouraged by an officer of the local court to try the armed services.  So Phil joined the US Navy, along with best friend, Carroll Cousins. This led Phil to a tour of exotic Guam, using his skills with a potato peeler and typewriter with equal finesse, receiving a Good Conduct Medal for his service.  During a visit to his parents in Maine, he chanced to meet a cute nursing student who found Phil’s humor and charm too much to resist.  Their love affair was cemented once and for all after a shared ride from Poughkeepsie, NY to Maine.  Phil married Chrystal on September 10, 1960, and together they went on to settle in Portland, Maine and raise four children: Laurie, Lisa, Ken (K.C.) and George.  Theirs was a sometimes chaotic, but always loving home, filled with laughter during the recounting of any number of adventures Phil would tell of life in The County, sometimes even at his own expense. Phil retired in 1999 from a long and varied career that included potato farming and warehouse management. His retirement years were spent wintering in Niceville, FL, where he volunteered many happy hours at Sharing & Caring; and summering at his beloved “Picklehead Point,” their camp on Portage Lake.  Phil is survived by his wife of 58 years, Chrystal; four children and their families: Laurie (Ouellette) and John Bean and their children Tyler and Sarah; Lisa (Ouellette) and Jeff Coleman and their children Philip and Martha; Ken (K.C.) and Rhonda (Leonard) Ouellette and their children Alex and Nick; and George and Heather (McIver) Ouellette and their children Adam and Abby.

Services will be held in Portland, ME, TBA. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Sharing & Caring 104 Bullock Blvd, Niceville, FL 32578; or to Caribou High School 308 Sweden St, Caribou, ME 04736. 

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