Philip Ado Zando

LEWISTON – Philip Ado Zando, 84, of Auburn passed away peacefully on March 30, 2025, at St. Mary’s d’Youville Pavilion in Lewiston, Maine, where he had been a resident for four weeks. Philip had recently been diagnosed with leukemia.

Philip was born on May 26, 1940, in Watertown, N.Y. He was the oldest of three sons of Ado Anthony Zando and Phyllis Milvo Zando of Deferiet, N.Y. Philip met his loving wife, Olivette Tessier, in March of 1964. They married on Aug. 6, 1966, at St. Rose of Lima Church in Jay. They have four children, Nicole, Marla, Larissa, and Matthew.

Phil grew up in Deferiet, N.Y., and was a talented athlete at Carthage HS, in Carthage, N.Y., where he graduated in 1957. He attended Clarkson University and Villanova University before starting a professional career in the construction field. He served in the U.S. Army starting in November of 1962 and was stationed at Fort Dix, N.J. In May of 1963, he was placed on reserve duty. After settling in the Lewiston-Auburn area in 1976, Philip became a longtime Project Manager for SW&B Construction Corporation, of Auburn. Phil’s work took him to projects all over the United States.

Philip had a great sense of humor and was very dedicated to his wife, family, friends, his work, his community, and his Catholic faith. During his retirement, Phil enjoyed spending time with his wife and family.

Phil is survived by his wife, Olivette Zando; his three daughters, Nicole (Shawn) Anderson of Topsham, Marla Zando (Ken Fengler) of Scarborough, Larissa (Sam) Sansome of Chicago, Ill., and his son, Matthew Philip Zando of Auburn; grandsons, Ben Anderson, Luke Anderson, Eli Fengler, and Zackary Fengler; his brothers, Peter (Elaine) Zando of Yorktown, Va., and Paul Zando of Jacksonville, Fla.; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents, Ado and Phyllis Zando.

Philip will have a Catholic funeral mass on Saturday, April 26, at 11 a.m. at the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul (Upper Church) in Lewiston. A reception will immediately follow at Marco’s Ristorante Italiano, also in Lewiston.

Philip’s family would like to thank the staff of CMMC, d’Youville Pavilion, and Beacon Hospice Care, who gave Philip kind and compassionate medical care during the last few months of his life. The Zando Family would also like to thank all the wonderful family members, friends, and neighbors for their thoughts, prayers, condolences, gifts, and visits.

Arrangements by The Fortin & Pinette Group, 217 Turner St. in Auburn, 783-8545. Online condolences and sharing of memories may be expressed at http://www.fortinpinettegroupauburn.com .

Donations may be made in memory of Philip to:

Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary at OLGS

P.O. Box 147

Denton, NE 68339 or to:

the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

P.O. Box 22324

New York, NY 10087 or to:

a charity of one’s choice