RANDOLPH – Phillip E. Drummond, 89, of Randolph, and formerly of Winter Haven, and Haines City, Fla., passed peacefully on July 29M 2021 at the U.S. V.A Togus, where he spent over 30 years caring for his fellow veterans. He is now with two of his life-long loves, Jesus and the love of his life, Noreen.

Phillip was born on July 27, 1932 in Augusta, to Irving and Eunice Powers Drummond. He attended Hallowell and Gardiner schools and was a member of the first graduating class at the University of Maine, Augusta Nursing Program, along with his great friend Ricky Beaudette, as the first male Registered Nurses at the Togus V. A. Hospital. He retired from the VA after 30 years, and began a second career with Maine General, first as an ER nurse at the former Gardiner Hospital and later as an evening supervisor at the Gray Birch Rehab and Long-term Care facility in Augusta.

Phil served in the Army during the Korean Conflict, where his service as a corpsman, began a life-long desire to serve others, and care for veterans. He acquired his Licensed Practical Nurse Certificate, and shortly after, began his journey to become a Registered Nurse. He continued to work two jobs and provided companionship and care for his wife, who had a number of medical issues, as a result of serious childhood disease. He was the night clerk at Albison’s Store, in Augusta, and often brought his children to work, so he could spend time with them. He made many life-long friends of the neighborhood families.

Phil worked his entire life, supporting his extended family as best he could, never getting rich, but always ensuring everyone had what they needed. He was a skate boy at the local roller rink, where he and friend, Bucky Peyton showed their skating prowess, mostly for the attention of the local gals.

Phillip had many passions in his life. He was a charitable and generous supporter of many charities, mostly in the support of veterans, children, law enforcement, and the Arts. He absolutely loved music and theater, sharing that love with his family and instilling the same appreciation in his children. He insisted his children study music, a luxury that was rare when he was growing up. With the support of his mother, he was able to record songs at a recording studio in Lewiston, at a young age. Those recordings gave his family great joy. The man had a beautiful voice, and relatives often compared him to Pat Boone, for his smooth voice and youthful good looks. The man could sing and dance, even keeping up with his grandkids, well into his 80s.

He was a cancer survivor for over twenty years, beating both prostrate and throat cancer, but living with the challenges, so many people face, from the impacts on his long-term health, but he strove to do the best he could, despite the challenges. The biggest disappointment, for him and his family was the impacts of radiation that left him unable to sing anymore. It was a loss for all of us.

Phil was very proud of his longevity, perhaps willing himself to be here for his 89th birthday, two days before he passed. Other members of his immediate family were not as fortunate, losing his sister Joyce, who died as a young girl, his big brother “Junior” to cancer before the age of 40, and both parents in their 60s. He committed to looking out for his brother’s family and was always there for them. Instead of feeling sorry for himself, he began a life-long love of family……every relative, no matter how distant. He always loved Noreen’s family like his own, and had a kindred bond with his own cousins, Joan “Jo” and Robert, who he loved dearly.

But there was no love greater than his love of his children, grandchildren, and recently added great-grandchildren. As the grandchildren arrived, they were each loved for who they were, and each of their accomplishments brought great pride and joy. Phil and Noreen instilled a sense of service in each of their children, as evident by their career choices as teacher, soldier, and VA veterans advocate and manager. He was a proud member of the American Legion, the Knights of Columbus, and Saint Joseph’s Catholic Church. Phil and Noreen supported many causes and institutions and especially those of their children and grandchildren. The daily mailbox full of requests for donations was a constant reminder of their generosity. They attended every athletic event, concert, play, ceremony, and milestone they could, supporting the children and adults every step of their lives. Phil’s caring legacy will live on through his family and the incredible friends he accumulated in his long life, and he would be very proud to know how many lives he enriched and the love and respect he earned.

Phil was predeceased by his loving wife of 59 years, Noreen; his parents Irving “Pappy” and Eunice “Nana”; brother, Irving “Junior”, sister, Joyce; son-in-law, Frederick Webster; mother-in-law, Florine Daigle, father-in-law, Rosaire Daigle; and brothers-in-law, Donald, Keith, and Alden Daigle.

He is survived by his children, Susan Hanscom of Haverhill, Mass., Dwaine and wife, Brenda of South China, Lisa Webster and life partner, Dan Albert of Farmingdale. “Pappy” leaves grandchildren Paul “PJ” Hanscom and wife, Katie Worthley, of Kingston, N.H., Juli-Ann Hanscom of Haverhill, Mass., Chad Webster and wife, Meaghan of Sidney, Drew Webster and wife Olivia of Augusta, Chase Drummond of Encino, Calif., and Kiley Drummond of Portland, who has followed his footsteps into nursing. He was so proud to welcome great-grandchildren Emerson Noreen Hanscom and River Frederick Webster. He leaves behind dozens of nieces and nephews; cousins; friends, and special friend, Florence Gott.

Friends and family may gather at Staple’s Funeral Home, Brunswick Avenue, Gardiner on Wednesday August 4, from 4 to 7 p.m. A funeral service will be held at Saint Joseph’s Catholic Church, Lincoln Avenue, Gardiner at 11 a.m. on Thursday August 5, with a reception immediately following at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 100 Spring St., Gardiner.

The Drummond family would like to thank the medical staff at the U.S. VA Togus for their caring attention.

Condolences, memories and photos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of the funeral home website familyfirstfuneralhomes.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Phillip’s name, to either the Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital, https://fundraising.mmc.org/bbch-donate-now or Saint Jude’s Children’s Hospital at https:/www.stjude.org

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