Obituary of F. Philip Dufour

Phil Dufour passed away on February 20, 2023, after a brief illness at Quarry Hill in Camden, Maine, with family by his side.  He was born July 5, 1926, in Old Town, Maine the son of P. Paul and Audelie (Brodeur) Dufour.  He married Barbara (Barton) on January 30, 1957, beginning their journey together, until her passing on November 22, 2013. 

Phil was raised in Old Town, attending Catholic schools there and graduating from John Bapst High School in Bangor, Maine.  He joined the United States Army in 1950, serving as a Military Policeman in the Korean War.  He was awarded the Bronze Service Star and the United Nations Service Medal and was honorably discharged in 1952.

He valued education and used the GI Bill to attend the University of Maine at Orono, graduating Class of 1957. 

Phil had a long and distinguished career serving as the Director of Regional and Community Planning for the James W. Sewall Company from 1958 to 1966, after which he joined the University of Maine at Orono as Director of Technical Services.  He held several positions with the University including Director of Sponsored Programs, Interim Vice President of Research and Public Service, Assistant Vice President of Research and Public Service and Assistant Vice President of Business, Industry and Government Relations.  After retiring from the University of Maine in 1991, he rejoined the James W. Sewall Company as Vice President for Administration, retiring in 1993.

He was dedicated to strengthening the ties and relationship between the resources of the University and the Maine community.  A January 8, 1990, article in The Bangor Daily News called Phil “UMaine’s research and problem-solving man for the community” noting “his informed, quiet and friendly manner makes him an effective representative of the research and problem-solving assets available on the Orono campus.”  In 1986, he established the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the University using what he and others called a “shoestring budget”.  He also served as the University’s first patent administrator to help protect the intellectual property of the University and its researchers.

At a young age, Phil developed a great love of the outdoors, especially hunting and fishing, a love that he instilled in his brothers, sons, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  Whether it was hunting or snowmobiling at Card Ridge or his family camp at Pushaw Lake, he brought his children along with him.  He and his brother Peter bought a camp in Howe Brook, Maine, which further deepened their ties to the Maine woods, each other and their families.  While his main focus was Howe Brook, he developed a love for fishing for Atlantic salmon on the Upsalquitch River in New Brunswick and bone fishing at Treasure Cay, Bahamas.  Not one to brag, he was proud that he landed four bone fish on his first outing and several salmon were recorded under his name on the books at Millbrook.

Phil was a dedicated family man throughout his life providing support and guidance to those around him.  He took great pride in his children, grandchildren and great-children.  When his wife Barbara slowly fell to the challenges of Alzheimer’s, Phil rarely left her side and cared for her until her passing.  Just before she passed, a care worker shared that he cared for Barbara from the early to late stages of Alzheimer’s, something a spouse and rarely a husband could do.  He did so without complaint and after she passed, commented that her final years were some of the best of their marriage as they would reminisce, share stories of their lives together and deepen their bond to each other.

Phil was predeceased by his parents; wife Barbara; son Mark; brothers Franklin and James; sister Joan.  He is survived by his son Gregory and wife Doreen of Palermo and Rockport, Maine; son Daniel and wife Lisa of Amherst, New Hampshire; grandchildren Matthew and partner Shannon Stone and daughter Willow of Hope, Maine, Joel and his son Jamison of Bristol, Connecticut, Benjamin of North Pole, Alaska, Cassidy, Dylan, Brandon and Luke of Amherst, New Hampshire; brother Peter and sister Eunice of Old Town, Maine; sisters in-law Pauline Dufour of Skowhegan, Constance Soucy of Bangor; many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St Bernard’s Soup Kitchen, 7 Union Street Camden, Maine 04843.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11 A.M., Saturday, April 1, 2023, at Our Lady of Good Hope Catholic Church, 7 Union St., Camden, Maine.  Arrangements by Kiley & Foley Funeral Service, Bangor and Brewer.  Messages and memories may be shared at kileyandfoley.com