Celebrating the life of
Philip Sangster
December 31, 1925 - May 28, 2013
Philip Clapp Sangster, 87, of Savannah, GA, passed away peacefully in his sleep Tuesday, May 28, 2013. Born December 31, 1925 in Montpelier, VT, Phil was the son of Philip Sangster and Ruth Maw Sangster, and the brother of Judy Bennett. He attended and graduated from Deering High School in Portland, ME, and entered the Navy upon graduation, serving in the Pacific theater. At the conclusion of the War, he attended the University of Maine in Orono. In 1948, Phil married Carol Holden, his wife of 64 years. Phil continued his studies at Stetson University in Deland, FL, where he graduated with a degree in education.
Upon graduation from college, he and Carol moved to Westbrook, ME, where Phil began a life-long career in sales in the paper industry. Eventually, they would move to Cape Elizabeth, ME, where Phil enjoyed being close to the ocean, and being out on the water whenever he had the opportunity. In 1974 Phil and Carol moved to The Landings near Savannah, GA, where they were founding members of St. Peter's Episcopal Church. Phil continued his sales career, working for Merck in industrial chemical sales out of their Savannah office. He retired from Merck, having achieved satisfying success in sales and service at Union Camp.
Phil enjoyed playing tennis, bike riding, reading, traveling with Carol, and volunteering for Habitat for Humanity. He was exceptionally handy, and was always a welcomed second pair of hands when it came to building and fixing things. Phil was happiest when surrounded by his family, and would always make time to say a word of heart-felt thanks and appreciation for the times together. He will be fondly remembered for his gentleness, humanity, and kindness of spirit.
He is survived by his wife Carol; daughters Deborah Schonbak Ray of Rancho Santa Fe, CA and Dana Harper David of Savannah; and granddaughters Sasha and Logan and grandson Chase, who will all miss Granddad. He is predeceased by his son, Mark Sangster of Scarborough, ME.
A memorial service remembering his life will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, June 1, 2013 at St. Peter's Episcopal Church, 3 West Ridge Road on Skidaway Island, Savannah, GA. The family will receive friends after the service.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances can be made to a cause or charity of choice.
Please sign our guest book online at www.foxandweeks.com.
I am so sad to hear of Uncle Phil's passing. I wish I had been able to talk to him again before he was gone. Thinking about him often, I searched him on google, only to find this Obituary. My condolences to all who loved him.
- Cindy Zuanich, Montpelier, VT
Dear Carol, Dana and Debra: Please accept my deepest condolences and my thoughts and prayers for you. I will always remember Phil for being so much like my mother's father, not in his physical likeness, but in his gentle, selfless manner. It was the way he welcomed you into your home, the way he handed you the cake you had baked, or just in the hand he offered my mother and father when they needed somehing, or taken somewhere. He was there for so many of those small acts of grace. He was something very rare: a gentleman. I will remember Phil for his bright smile, that wisome, ironic inside joke that never made you feel you could not keep up with his intellect, his quick wit, and his love of people and places -- even if it was just back up to Maine. A person at peace with himself, and God. I thank God I knew him, and you, and for those memories and for that rare gift of knowing such a man, a man for all seasons. God bless you. Love, John
- John Myers, Manassas, VA
Carol, Dana and Debbie, I was saddened and sorry to hear of Phil's passing. Even though I knew Phil for less than 1 year, I considered him to be a good friend. Character, Integrity, Morals, Values, Principles, Honest, Trustworthy, all traits that made up a loving husband, father and friend. I will miss him and may GOD continue to bless, protect and watch over you during this difficult time.
- Richard Lutz, Savannah, GA
Carol and Family, We extend our sincere sympathy on the passing of Phil.He was one of the first residents at the Landings and you both have made large contributions to the island.You will be in our prayers.
- Tom and Judy Mahoney, Savannah, GA
By chance, we spent the afternoon with Carol and Phil the day before he died. We had been meaning to drive up from Florida many times, but there was always a reason not to. We are so fortunate that we made the decision to go. Phil was his usual jovial character, and we enjoyed swapping lies about the almost 30 years we knew each other.
- Bob and Chris Dudley, Cape Coral, FL
I am so sad to hear of Uncle Phil's passing. I wish I had been able to talk to him again before he was gone. Thinking about him often, I searched him on google, only to find this Obituary. My condolences to all who loved him.
- Cindy Zuanich, Montpelier, VT
Dear Carol, Dana and Debra: Please accept my deepest condolences and my thoughts and prayers for you. I will always remember Phil for being so much like my mother's father, not in his physical likeness, but in his gentle, selfless manner. It was the way he welcomed you into your home, the way he handed you the cake you had baked, or just in the hand he offered my mother and father when they needed somehing, or taken somewhere. He was there for so many of those small acts of grace. He was something very rare: a gentleman. I will remember Phil for his bright smile, that wisome, ironic inside joke that never made you feel you could not keep up with his intellect, his quick wit, and his love of people and places -- even if it was just back up to Maine. A person at peace with himself, and God. I thank God I knew him, and you, and for those memories and for that rare gift of knowing such a man, a man for all seasons. God bless you. Love, John
- John Myers, Manassas, VA
Carol, Dana and Debbie, I was saddened and sorry to hear of Phil's passing. Even though I knew Phil for less than 1 year, I considered him to be a good friend. Character, Integrity, Morals, Values, Principles, Honest, Trustworthy, all traits that made up a loving husband, father and friend. I will miss him and may GOD continue to bless, protect and watch over you during this difficult time.
- Richard Lutz, Savannah, GA
Carol and Family, We extend our sincere sympathy on the passing of Phil.He was one of the first residents at the Landings and you both have made large contributions to the island.You will be in our prayers.
- Tom and Judy Mahoney, Savannah, GA
By chance, we spent the afternoon with Carol and Phil the day before he died. We had been meaning to drive up from Florida many times, but there was always a reason not to. We are so fortunate that we made the decision to go. Phil was his usual jovial character, and we enjoyed swapping lies about the almost 30 years we knew each other.
- Bob and Chris Dudley, Cape Coral, FL
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
