Laconia, N.H.-----Dr. Philip S. Wells of Laconia, NH passed away suddenly on Monday, September 5, 2011 at his summer home. Dr. Wells was a graduate of Columbia Teachers College and Massachusetts School of Art and spent his career sharing his love of the arts with students from elementary school up through graduate school at Northern Illinois University .
Philip was born in Stoneham, MA and was raised in Melrose, MA and Moultonborough, NH during summers. He attended Melrose schools and graduated from Melrose High School in 1947. He then attended and graduated from Massachusetts School of Art in 1951. Upon graduation, he enlisted in the Army and served in Germany during the Korean Conflict between 1951 and 1954. When he returned, he went to Columbia Teachers College in NYC, and received his Masters in Art Education in 1954 and his Ed. D later in 1969.
With this degree in hand, he taught in Dobbs Ferry High School in New York and then became head of the Art Department in Niskayuna Schools from 1957 – 1968. He was President of the NY Art Teachers’ Association in 1967-68. He and his family then moved to Sycamore, IL where he taught art education and rose to Associate Dean during his 22 years at Northern Illinois University.
Phil was a member of the Oak Room Gallery in Schenectady, NY and performed in many Light Opera Shows in Niskayuna for 10 years. He had various One Man and Group Art Shows in NY and IL as well as an art show at the Belknap Mill in Laconia in Sept. 2010.
During his 15 years of retirement in Laconia, NH, he served on the Music Committee of the Congregational Church, supported the Lake Region Symphony and shared his homemade bread and chicken soup with many of the shut-in members of the church.
Dr. Wells is survived by his wife of 51 years, Diane Wells, his children, Wendy DeWeirdt, Peter Wells and wife, Kristin, Stephen Wells and wife, Melissa, and Dr. Andrew Wells and wife, Anita. Also surviving are his 8 grandchildren, Alan and Anna DeWeirdt and Lindsay, Katrina, Dustin, Elise, Ashton and Arison Wells. He has one sister living, Marion Patterson, a brother-in-law, Robert B. Harris, and a sister-in-law, Trudy Wells. He has 19 nieces and nephews, 20 grandnieces and nephews and 5 great grand nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Lewis F. and Helen (Brown) Wells, his three brothers, Lewis, Ralph and Robert Wells and a sister, Marcia Wells Harris.
There will be no calling hours.
A memorial service will be held at 1:00 pm on Sunday, September 11, 2011 at the Laconia Congregational Church, corner of 18 Veterans Square and 69 Pleasant St., Laconia, N.H. with Rev. Dr. Warren Bouton and Rev. Paula Gile, pastors of the Church, presiding. A reception will follow the service in the church hall.
The family has requested memorials may be donated to the Dorcas Fund of the Laconia Congregational Church, 18 Veteran’s Square, Laconia, NH 03246.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, N. H. is assisting the family with the arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial go to www.wilkinsonbeane.com.