SOUTH PARIS – Philmore “Red” Meserve, 88, of Mechanic Falls, passed away peacefully from cancer on Thursday, June 14, at the Maine Veterans’ Home.

He was born in Mechanic Falls on Aug. 5, 1918, the son of Clarence and Gladys Jordan Meserve, and the twin brother of Phyllis.

He attended school in Mechanic Falls and Auburn. He graduated from Edward Little High School with the Class of 1936, and then the University of Maine in 1942, where he enjoyed playing baseball, running cross country, and participating in winter sports. While there, he majored in forestry, and was a member of Phi Eta Kappa fraternity.

Upon graduation, he joined the U.S. Army and served in Africa and Italy. After discharge, he returned to Mechanic Falls to work in the family business, C.W. Meserve and Sons.

On June 18, 1949, he married Barbara Elliott, who died in 1988.

When the business closed, he became an educator and taught in Bridgton at the junior high school until his retirment in 1980.

On Feb. 11, 1989, he married Lula Mitchell Bryant, who still lives in Mechanic Falls.

He was very active and held offices in the Floyd-Harlow VFW Post 9787 in South Paris and American Legion Post 150 in Mechannic Falls, and was treasurer of the advisory committee to the Maine Veterans Home in South Paris since its inception.

He is survived by his wife of Mechanic Falls; a daughter, Carol, her husband, Russell Teague, and granddaughter, Belinda Sue “Bindy” Teague, all of Oxford; a stepson, Dr. William Bryant, his wife, Cindy, and grandchildren, Danny, Erin and Hilary Bryant of Bolton, Connecticut; his sisters-in-law and a brother in law, and several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his wife, Barbara; his sisters, Phyllis, Joan and Connie; and a brother, Malcolm.