LEE, Mass. — On February 20, 2017, Philip Maynard Methe of Lee finally succumbed to his physical ailments after a lengthy battle. As he fought, he held on to his love of life, his memory, and his quick wit. Phil lived by his own rules and left us on his own terms.

Fun loving and vibrant, he always had a joke ready to lighten any situation. In his youth, Phil enjoyed playing soccer near his childhood home in Ludlow and he had a special affinity for roller skating. He graduated from Springfield’s Cathedral High School in 1960. Shortly thereafter, Phil enlisted in the Coast Guard and served his country aboard the USS Humboldt, an icebreaker that traveled to Newfoundland, Greenland, and Iceland.

Phil was an avid sports fan, always ready to chat about "last night's game," and an animated soccer coach and baseball umpire while his children played youth sports. He never met a crossword puzzle that he couldn't solve, and you have never seen a man his size put down so much food (except for succotash, of course).

He never passed up the chance to help others in need, and for over 20 years, he was a friend and inspiration to people struggling with alcoholism — always available to lend an ear or share advice. His last working years were spent traveling to repair car windshields.

He leaves his two sons, Rick and his wife Kristy and Scott; his two grandchildren, Hava and Michael; his former wife, Paula Salinetti; his brother and best friend, Larry (wife Elizabeth); and sisters Jacqueline (husband Richard) and JoAnne (husband Ross).

Philip was predeceased by his young sons Philip and Jeffrey and his parents Laurent and Phyllis.

Funeral notice: A Liturgy of Christian Burial will be held at 9 a.m. on Saturday, March 11, at St. Mary’s Church in Lee. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Mary’s School in Lee in c/o the Kelly Funeral Home, 3 Main Street Lee, MA 01238.