FARMINGTON – Joseph Phillip DeRaps, 85, passed on peacefully with family at this side at the Edgewood Living Care Center in Farmington on Saturday July 31, 2010 after a long illness.
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Born November 22, 1924 in Rangeley, to Joseph Bertram and Minnie Alice (Haley) DeRaps, he attended local schools. After high school, he graduated from The Quoddy School with a degree in welding. He later completed a home correspondence course to become an electrician. Phil served in the Army during WWII and was stationed in the Philippines, receiving medals of Honor during his enlistment. On November 22, 1947, he married Rita R Knockwood. They were married for over 50 years.
Phil and his wife, Rita, made their home in Rangeley but his work took him to many areas of the country. Utilizing his gifted welding and electrical skills, he worked with notable carnival shows Playtime Shows of Quincy Mass, King Reid Shows of Manchester VT and Lakewood Amusements of Myrtle Beach, SC.
Phil was a an avid golfer and cribbage player, enjoying many years of “skunking” those he could and chuckling about it for years! Phil was also an avid hunter, fisherman and enjoyed carpentry and wood working. His crowning jewel was the home he built for he and his wife, Rita, on Haley Pond with the steadfast help of his grandson Steve Hooke and son in-law Tom Hooke.
Phil is survived by his brother, Robert DeRaps of Rangeley and Edenton, NC; daughters Carmen Hook of Dexter, and Yulee, FL; Yvonne Moore of Rangeley and Jacqueline Nerney of Wilton, and his son, Michael DeRaps of Carrabassett. He is also survived by nine grandchildren, Michael and Matthew Nerney of Schenectady and Watervliet, NY; Peter Hooke of Dexter, Terry Sue Downey of East Dorset, VT; Travis DeRaps of Strong, Margaret and Katherine Nerney of Wilton and Hudson and Steve DeRaps of Rangeley and a son-in law, George Moore of Rangeley. He had 15 great grandchildren.
Phil was predeceased by his wife Rita, a son Joseph DeRaps, his daughter Michelle Pinkham, his grandson Steven Hooke, and son-in-law, Thomas Hooke.
Special thanks to the loving staff at Edgewood Living Center for their help and support during this difficult time in our family.
A memorial service will be held at 10 am Aug. 14 at Adams- McFarlane Funeral & Cremation Services, 108 Court Street, Farmington ME. Committal of ashes will take place immediately following in Lexington, ME Cemetery. Phil will be laid to rest with his beloved Rita at that time. Those wishing may send online condolences to the family at www.adamsmcfarlane.com
