BELFAST — Philip Russell Black Sr., 84, of Belfast, passed away peacefully June 5th, 2015, holding hands with his wife and surrounded by his children at Waldo County General Hospital in Belfast.

Phil was born March 27, 1931 in Sullivan, to Dr. Russell S. and Dorothea F. (Goodwin) Black. He attended early elementary schools in Newport, R.I., then transferred to Belfast schools, graduating from Crosby High School in 1950, after which he attended Kents Hill. Phil attended University of Maine Orono prior to entering the Navy in June of 1951 with an honorable discharge in June 1955. Phil served as a combat veteran in Korea and as a U.S. Navy corpsman serving the Marines as a medic on the front lines. His most significant duty was in Bainbridge, Md., and at Triplar Hospital in Hawaii.

Upon Phil's return from service he managed Kilroy's Store in Rockland. He was also a medical staffer at Ellsworth Memorial Hospital.

On June 18, 1960, at the First Church in Belfast, Phil married Susan P. Clark of Belfast. The Black's moved to Boston, Mass., where Phil attended Bentley College of Finance. Upon completion they returned to Belfast, where they began their life and family. Phil and Sue became very active members of the community. They became members of the Jaycee organization, where Phil became a local and state officer working on various projects such as the Broiler Festival BBQ and parade, The Muck “clean up” and the street sign committee.

In 1977 Phil and Sue opened and operated Western Auto on Main Street in Belfast. After closing the store, Phil began his career in medical sales throughout eastern Maine, opening MOS in Auburn; Breathe Easy from Bangor and retiring from Coastal Med Tech of Ellsworth.

Phil was a charter member of the Robert Collar Chorale, which later became Pen Bay Singers. In 1980 he and Sue organized the Bay Area Motorcycle Club and went on to enjoy riding for the next 20 years attending many state, national and international functions. The Black's last mode of recreational transportation was a motor home, which they used to enjoy campfires with family and friends from all over the country.

Phil was raised in Timothy Chase Lodge # 26, which later became Belfast Lodge #24. He was a member of Waldo Chapter #7 Royal Arch Masons and Palestine Commandery #14 Knights Templar. Phil was a very proud member of the Anah Shrine of Bangor, and a member and past president of the Waldo County Shrine Club. He sang with the Anah Chanters and served as an aide for Potentate Charles Kennedy. Most recently he served as a greeter. He was also a very active Anah Kamper, serving as the scout for many years.

Phil was predeceased by his parents; his brother, Bruce Robert; his aunt, Eleanor Hastings of Ellsworth; his niece, Judith Black; his brother-in-law, Donald S. Clark Jr. and his wife, Mary Esther.

Phil is survived by his loving wife of 55 years; his daughters, Dorothea Anne (Duffy) and her husband, Tom Woods (w/h) of Northport, and Barbara Jae (B.J.) and her husband, Kevin Kent (w/oh) of Landenberg, Pa.; his son, Philip R. Black Jr. and his wife, Bethany, of Belmont; his five fabulous grandchildren, Brandy L. Woods and her fiancé, Randy Abbott, of Belmont, Brittany L. Woods of Westbrook, Kyle A. Black and his fiancée, Erica Leach, of Belmont, Spencer David and Parker PHILIP Kent of Landenberg, Pa.; his four fantastic great-grandchildren, Emily and Ethan Abbott, and Jonathan and Kolton Black, all of Belmont; his two brothers, James A. Black and David F. and his wife, Mary Black, all of Belfast; his cousins, Brian and Gail and Kent and Jill Hastings of Sullivan and Sorrento; many nieces and nephews; and very special extended family, Alan Hamm, Tracey Lavender and Todd Hamm of New Hampshire.

A celebration of Phil’s life will be held Saturday, June 13, 2015 at 11a.m. at the First Church of Belfast, with a reception following at the Waldo County Shrine Club on Northport Avenue in Belfast.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Anah Shriners - “Building for the Future” or Shriners Hospital for Children, c/o Anah Shrine, 586 Main St., Bangor, ME 04401.

Arrangements are under the care of Riposta Funeral Home.