LEWISTON – Raymond Harris Philbrick, photographer, 76, whose creative talents captured on film the visual history of Maine for over five decades, died Thursday, Sept. 2, at CMMC, with his wife and family by his side.

He was born Aug. 15, 1928, in Minot, and was the only child of Althea (Harris) and Raymond Philbrick. He grew up on the family farm and was educated in both Minot and Auburn schools, graduating from Edward Little High School in 1946.

In 1952, he married Therese Turmenne in Oquossoc, who predeceased him in 1963. In 1965, he married Margaret McIlvain in Michigan; they spent 39 years together.

In 1946, he began a lifelong career in photography, starting work at the Lewiston Daily Sun and the Lewiston Evening Journal. He photographed the state of Maine extensively for both papers covering everything from forest fires to political events and scenic shots.

He won several state and national awards for his pictures, including an award from the Associated Press in 1948 for his picture of two young divers jumping from Barker Mill Dam in New Auburn. This picture appeared in newspapers nationwide and also appeared in Life magazine.

His pictures also included various celebrities and politicians, including Presidents Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, and Nixon. He was good friends with Senators Bill Hathaway, Edmund Muskie, and Margaret Chase-Smith.

In 1966, he purchased Tash Studio in Lewiston, which he operated until 1980. He photographed hundreds of local weddings, portraits and industrial photos while owning Tash. He also was a mentor to other photographers, teaching them the skill of photography.

From 1980 until 1999. he served as track photographer at the majority of harness racing tracks in the state. He traveled the state from Presque Isle to Scarborough taking winner’s circle pictures and driver’s portraits.

He was a communicant of Sacred Heart Church in Auburn, where he was a past member of the parish council and also served as a lecturer and usher.

He was a passionate sports fan and participated in many sports during his younger years. He loved to water ski, and in 1957 he co-founded the first State of Maine Water Ski Meet in Rangeley. He also played golf extensively and was a charter member of the Fairlawn Country Club in Poland.

He loved football and in 1948, he helped co-found the Central Maine Football Forecasters Association, which is still in existence today. He also belonged to several bowling leagues, coached local men’s league hockey, and was an avid fisherman.

Two of his most memorable experiences were fishing in the Rangeley area with baseball legend Ted Williams and photographing the prize fight between Sonny Liston and Casius Clay in Lewiston.

He enjoyed traveling, but always enjoyed coming home to Maine. He loved the state of Maine dearly, especially the Rangeley region and the coast.

In 1999, he compiled a short booklet about his experiences growing up in Minot. This booklet is now in its third printing. He will always be remembered for his great stories, his wit, great sense of humor, and the hundreds of friendships he made during his lifetime. But most of all, his family was very dear to him and he was proud of each and every one of them.

He is survived by his wife; a daughter, Mary, of Auburn; five sons, Stephen and his wife, Fernlyn, of Oquossoc, Christopher and his wife, Tami, of Virginia, John and his wife, Marie, of North Berwick, Daniel and his wife, Lynelle, of Auburn, Michael and his wife, Karen, of Standish; and nine grandchildren.

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