AUBURN – E. Philip H. St. Pierre, 86, passed away Thursday, May 1, at the Hospice House in Auburn. He passed peacefully in his sleep, with family by his side, following a short illness.

He was a lifelong resident of Lewiston, until recently moving to the Clover Independent Living Center in Auburn.

He was born on Feb. 10, 1922, the first child for Philippe and Gloria (Levesque) St. Pierre. He was educated in Lewiston schools, and as a young man he started his employment career as a sales clerk at Victor News.

Phil joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1942. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 21st Regiment, 3rd Division of the Corps. As a front-line gunner and mortar man, he participated in the major Pacific campaigns of Bougainville, Guam and Iwo Jima. His family always felt great pride and appreciation for the service he gave our country.

Upon his discharge from the service, Phil married Rita M. Michaud on Feb. 23, 1946. Together they raised five children. He also continued his business career at Victor News, eventually becoming owner. During his tenure at the helm of Victor News, he added a second Lewiston location on outer Lisbon Street, and relocated the main branch to a new building on Park Street, downtown, where it still operates today.

Phil was soft spoken, polite and easygoing. He enjoyed his day-to-day contact with the public, as a hands-on, active, business owner. He had a quick wit and enjoyed hanging with the crew of early morning customers, exchanging stories and talking sports.

He was an avid outdoorsman. He loved fishing, camping, and hiking. He also made it a point to share his appreciation of the outdoors with his family. The annual week-long camping & tenting trips, with Rita and five young children, provided many great memories.

For many years, Phil served as a scout leader for St. Patrick’s troop 122, sharing his knowledge of the outdoors with countless community children. Whether hiking the Appalachian Trail or participating in a snowbird campout, the young scouts he led could always anticipate fun and safe adventure.

Upon his retirement in 1984, Phil & Rita traveled much of New England and beyond in their RV. They thoroughly enjoyed their travels, but always looked forward to their return home and the quality time they would spend with family.

Phil was a longtime member of the Lewiston Rotary Club; served many years in the Service Corp of Retired Executives (SCORE), was a member of the Marine Corps League, and was involved in many downtown Lewiston development groups.

He is now reunited with his loving wife, Rita, who passed in 2006. Their marriage of 60 years was filled with devotion and love.

He is survived by three sons, Gerard P. St. Pierre of Sabattus, Paul R. St. Pierre and wife, Nancy, of Lewiston, Philip R. St. Pierre and his wife, Nancy, of Lewiston; two daughters, Gloria Vallieres and her husband, Richard, of Greene, and Irene Pelletier and her husband, Bert, of Lewiston; 10 grandchildren, Mary Cote and her husband, Daryl, Shari Cloutier and her husband, Jason, and Dustin Pelletier, all of Lewiston, John St. Pierre and his wife, Kristy, and Danielle St. Pierre, all of Whitesboro, N.Y., James Vallieres, and Crystal Vallieres, both of Turner, Kathleen Caron and her husband, Steve, of Sabattus, Robert St. Pierre of Lewiston, and Jason Vallieres; seven great-grandchildren, Gabrielle St. Pierre, Anna and Amy Cote, Benjamin Cloutier, Jonathan Caron, Jason White and James Silvia; brothers, Eugene St. Pierre and his wife, Theresa, of Auburn, Raymond St. Pierre and his wife, Carmen, of Lewiston, Roger St. Pierre and his wife, Germaine, of Leesburg, Fla.; and brother-in-law, Ed Baylis of Lewiston.

Predeceasing him were his wife Rita; sisters, Sylvia Bernier and her husband, George, and Muriel Baylis; and one grandson, Bill St. Pierre.

The family would like to thank the staff at Clover Living Center and Androscoggin Hospice for the high level of care Phil received.