Philip A Shearman

Gorham – The Reverend Philip A. Shearman, 99, died on August 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, MA he joined the United States Navy at age 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 Malden, MA. His first church as Pastor was the Dorchester Temple Baptist Church of Boston. From there he was the Pastor of the Ashland Avenue Baptist Church, Toledo OH. 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, 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 14 great grandchildren.

The family invites you to a time of visitation on Monday August 25th from 10:00am to 11:00am, immediately followed by a funeral service at 11:00am at Jones, Rich & Barnes Funeral Home. A committal service will follow at Brooklawn Memorial Park with military honors.

Rev. Shearman would encourage any memorial to be given to the Gorham Fire and Rescue, the Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland, or the Northern Light Home Care & Hospice.