Rev. Philip A. Shearman

GORHAM – The Reverend Philip A. Shearman, 99, died on Aug. 17, 2025, at his residence in Gorham. He was the son of the late Rev. Evan and Margaret (Smith) Shearman. Educated in Woburn and Springfield, Mass., he joined the United States Navy at the age of 17 during World War II.

A graduate of Colby College and Andover Newton Theological School, he served as Youth/Associate Minister at the First Baptist Church of Malde, Mass. His first church as pastor was the Dorchester Temple Baptist Church of Boston, Mass. From there, he was the pastor of the Ashland Avenue Baptist Church, Toledo Ohio. There, he was a member of the Board of Trustees of the Ohio Baptist Convention, president of the Toledo Area Council of Churches, recipient of the Outstanding Urban Church of 1971 from the American Baptist Churches of the U.S.A. and Protestant chaplain of the Toledo Fire Department. In addition, he served as arbitrator and mediator with the Toledo Citizen-Labor-Management Committee.

After 18 years in Toledo, Ohio, he moved to Maine where he became pastor of the First Parish Congregational Church United Church of Christ in Gorham. For over 20 years he has been chaplain to Gorham Fire and Rescue Department. In retirement he has been on call from area funeral homes to serve bereaved families and to conduct funerals. In addition, he has been guest preacher in area U.C.C.

He leaves behind his wife of 45 ½ years, Donna J. (Mason) Shearman; as well as six children and two stepchildren whom he considered as his own; 12 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.

The family invites you to a time of visitation on Monday Aug. 25 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., immediately followed by a funeral service at 11 a.m. at Jones, Rich & Barnes Funeral Home. A committal service will follow at Brooklawn Memorial Park with military honors.