Philippe Oscor Turgeon, Jr.

Philippe O. Turgeon, Jr., 90 died Saturday, November 2, 2024, at The Arbors of Bedford in Bedford, New Hampshire. He was born on May 29, 1934, in Danville (now Auburn), Maine, the son of Philippe Turgeon and Germaine (Ferland) Turgeon.

He was the husband of the late Jacqueline (Jackie) Berube Turgeon. They were married on May 12, 1954, in Lewiston, Maine. Jackie and Phil were married for 57 years.

Phil was in the U.S. Navy for 20 years, retiring as Chief Petty Officer, Fire Control Technician, in 1972. He served on battleships, destroyers and submarines. He was a Korean War Veteran. He was stationed in Norfolk, Virginia, Brunswick, Maine, Long Beach, California and Groton, Connecticut. While at Naval Air Station Brunswick, he taught a Wilderness Survival Course. He served as an Instructor at the Submarine School at SubBase Groton. He served on three Guppy class submarines: USS Hardhead, USS Halfbeak and the USS Clamagore. At the time of his retirement, he was Chief of the Boat of the USS Clamagore. This is the senior enlisted position on the submarine.

After his retirement from the Navy, Phil moved back to Lewiston, where he and his wife Jackie built their dream home. Phil worked as a rural mail carrier until 1989, when he retired from the U.S. Postal Service. Phil also became a Master Electrician after returning to Maine. He continued to do electrical work until his early 80s. 

Phil loved the outdoors and was an avid hunter and fisher. He built a hunting camp in Eustis, Maine. He looked forward to his annual weeklong deer hunting trip. This was the highlight of his year. 

Phil was always a hard worker - willing to help out family and friends whenever he was asked. He was always planning his next job or project. Two of his former Navy colleagues told his daughters, “Phil was the best shipmate I ever had”. That is high praise from fellow Navy veterans.

Family meant everything to Phil. He was a devoted husband and father. He always encouraged his daughters to follow their dreams, telling them they could achieve anything. Phil was known for his great sense of humor. He was always making a joke, or telling a funny story. He had so many great stories from his years in the Navy, or his adventures as a kid. 

Phil was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, SubVets, the NRA, the Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine and the Stanton Bird Club. 

He is survived by daughter Kim Appleton of Raymond, New Hampshire, daughter Misti Muscat of Hayesville, North Carolina, grandson Matthew Appleton of Kingston, New Hampshire, granddaughter Ashley (Appleton) Mota of Epping, New Hampshire, great-grandchildren Evelyn, Markus and Elias Appleton and Max Mota, sister Claudette Giacomino of Vero Beach, Florida and several nieces and nephews. 

ARRANGEMENTS: No services will be held. There will be a Celebration of Life at 1 p.m., November 23, 2024, at DaVinci’s Eatery in Lewiston. Assisting the family with arrangements is the Cremation Society of NH, Manchester. Those who wish may make a memorial contribution to the Alzheimer’s Association, the Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine, or the Stanton Bird Club. To view Philippe's Online Tribute, send condolences to the family, or for more information, visit www.csnh.com.