John Charles Phillips

John Charles Phillips, II 1946-2022 PORTLAND--John Charles Phillips, II, 76, of Portland, died at home on Thursday, March 10, surrounded by his loving family. John was born in Charleston, South Carolina, on March 5, 1946. He was the son of Arthur Hyde and Elizabeth Elliott Sass Phillips. He grew up in Ipswich, Massachusetts, graduating from Middlesex School in 1965, Harvard College in 1969 with an A.B. in American History, and the University of Michigan School of Natural Resources with an M.S. in 1974. On June 16, 1973, he married Charlotte Rush Bacon of Woods Hole, MA. Together they lived in Cambridge, MA, Ann Arbor, MI, Washington, DC, Hartland, VT, Ipswich, MA, Boston, MA, New York, NY and Portland, ME. John's professional life involved work in environmental conservation and marine affairs for federal and state agencies and non-profit organizations. Raised in Ipswich by parents with a strong appreciation for natural environments, he spent much of his childhood exploring Essex Bay's creeks and salt marshes. He was deeply committed to habitat protection, land acquisition, endangered species conservation, river protection, improved environmental law enforcement, and restoration of marine fisheries. Career highlights include establishing a sailing program in Boston; helping to grow fishing economies and restore local control to the native people of the Pribilof Islands in the Bering Sea; and traveling to a convention in Moscow during the Cold War designed to manage the commercial harvest of fur-bearing mammals. He helped pass the Massachusetts Rivers Protection Act of 1996 and the Massachusetts Ocean Act of 2008. He led the creation of a fish ladder on the Ipswich River to allow upstream passage of river herring and the acquisition of East Beach on Chappaquiddick Island, Martha's Vineyard to allow surfcasting for striped bass. He was a public servant at heart, volunteering in seven states in support of Barack Obama's presidential campaign and serving as a Board Member of American Rivers and a Trustee for the Trustees of Reservations. John was an avid sailor, spending summers aboard Sea Goose with Charlotte and friends, primarily along the coast of Maine and Cape Cod, returning frequently to favorite anchorages in Penobscot Bay. Skiing, hiking, biking, cooking, and travel occupied his retirement. His love of Charleston, South Carolina, and its surrounding low country inspired annual visits. John was an especially devoted father and grandfather, deeply committed to encouraging his sons' pursuits. Most of all he loved spending time with his family and friends, especially at George Head Island off Stonington and a family camp on Lobster Lake. John was predeceased by his parents and a sister, Marion Phillips. He is survived by his wife, Charlotte Bacon Phillips; his sons, Jack Phillips and his wife Jane, of Portland, Sam Phillips of Kingston, Washington, and Arthur Phillips and his wife Vera Correll, of Portland; his sister, Elizabeth "Tizzy" Hatch, of Ipswich, Massachusetts; and his three beloved grandchildren, Elsie, Chick and Alma. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Maine Island Trail Association and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology are encouraged. Private funeral arrangements are being planned for a future date. To view John's memorial page or share an online condolence, please visit www.ConroyTullyWalker.com.