NORWAY – Philip William Lejonhud Jr., 73, of Norway, formerly of Turner’s Island, South Portland, passed away on March 17 at home with family.

He was born July 14, 1932, in Portland to Philip W. Lejonhud and Ida Roderick Lejonhud. He was married to Marilyn Bonney Lejonhud for 53 years. Phil went to schools in South Portland and Portland, graduating from Portland High in 1951.

Phil worked at Eagle Press in Portland before his marriage, and then worked at Portland Copper & Tank Works for 15 years. While living on Turner’s Island, he joined Spurwink Rod & Gun Club and helped in the building of the clubhouse and rifle range. At this time, he had his own custom gun-checkering shop at home as a hobby.

In 1968, the family moved to his hunting lodge in North Paris, and Phil went to work for Hamilton & Son Fabricators for 15 years. At this time, he and his family built a farm (Troll Haugen) in Norway, where he raised and sold pigs as a hobby.

Due to ill health, he was forced into early retirement in 1984. At this time, he was a director at the North Waterford “World’s Fair” and helped in the rebuilding of the fairgrounds. In 1985, he was a volunteer on the crew building the new Masonic Temple in Norway. During this time, he was a student at CMVTI, where he received his associate degree in machine tool technology and drafting. He did freelance drafting at McCann Fabrication in New Gloucester.

In 1950, he became a member of Forest City Chapter, Order of DeMolay, where he worked his way through the chairs to past master councilor. In 1956, he was raised to the sublime degree of a master mason at Hiram Lodge 180. He later transferred to Oxford Lodge 18 in Norway.

All his life he enjoyed fishing, especially in the Fore River and off Cape Elizabeth, and hunting in West Paris. After retirement, he developed a love for steam trains and traveled all over the country to see and ride trains. Phil and Marilyn enjoyed wildlife and feeding birds and had their own flock of wild turkeys feeding at their home.

In 2003, Phil became interested in genealogy and went on to create a picture journal about living on Turner’s Island for 60 years. He then started his memoirs about growing up on Turner’s Island from 1932 to 1952, which enabled him to renew many friendships from his childhood. He enjoyed visiting old friends from the South Portland area and exchanging memories. To quote Phil’s written words. “To my (friends and) contributors, thank you for sharing your family pictures and allowing me to use them in my photo journal. Also, thank you for joining me in a short stroll down memory lane. It’s been a joy. -Junior”

Phil is survived by his wife, Marilyn B. Lejonhud; five children, Andrea Powers and husband, Larry, of Hebron, Barry Lejonhud of Florida, Carl Lejonhud of Rumford, Dana Lejonhud and wife, Susan, from Hebron, and Martina Levesque and husband, Danny, of Norway; seven grandchildren, Jason Powers and fiance, Megan Wheeler, Arica Powers and fianc, John Monahan, Miranda Levesque, Jesse Miller and Nicole, Zachary and Ian Lejonhud; and several cousins, including Bob Erikson and John Goan.

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