Brother Phillip Andrew Weldon

Brother Phillip Andrew Weldon h.m., 81, died after a long illness on January 22, 2011 in Camp Verde, Arizona. He was born in Los Angeles to William Weldon and Myrtle (Friedrichs) Weldon on January 2, 1930, the 7th of 8 living children, as his mother died a few years later, after childbirth, along with baby number nine. At the age of 20, Brother Phillip was baptized Catholic, making his own a faith that would become the foundation for the rest of his life. As a young man he served in Germany in the United States Air Force, during which time he discerned a call to religious life, becoming interested in the Trappist order. This desire was to be fulfilled only many years later, when he became a Hermit of Mercy. In the meanwhile, Brother Phillip lived in El Monte, Lucerne Valley and Big Bear, California, owning a cleaning business, and working varied jobs. Brother Phillip was a talented pianist. He had been manager of the Hi-Desert Meals on Wheels, served as President of the Senior Citizens Club of Lucerne Valley, and was named Citizen of the Year in Lucerne Valley in 1992. In 2000, Brother Phillip moved to Cottonwood, Arizona, and entered the Hermits of Mercy, eventually taking perpetual vows of poverty, chastity and obedience according to the Rule of the Hermits of Mercy. Brother Phillip moved to Bangor, Maine in 2004, where he could be "a Greyhound bus trip away" from his community in Moncton, Canada. His greatest joy and peace was found in his times of solitude and silence in Moncton. Brother Phillip was elected Abba of his community, and served in this capacity until he resigned in 2008 due to failing health. He moved back to Camp Verde Arizona in 2008 to be closer to his niece. Brother Phillip had a dry sense of humor, a simple yet profound faith, and a gentle spirit that touched many deeply. Brother Phillip was preceded in death by his parents, one sibling at birth, a brother, Kenneth Weldon, and a sister, Katherine Puppe. He is survived by siblings in California: brothers, William Weldon (Mary) of Lancaster, Harry Weldon of Lucerne Valley, Alvin Weldon of Claremont, sisters Lorraine Schneider of Oceanside and Nell Wenger of Dominguez Hills; a sister-in-law Marie Morrison, Canyon Lake, California as well as several nieces and nephews, including Sharon Wenger of Camp Verde, Arizona. Visitation will be held Friday, January 28 at St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church in Camp Verde from 6 ¿½ 8 PM. The recitation of the Holy Rosary will be held at 7 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday January 29 at the Church at 11 AM, with Fr. Ronald Smith OFM Cap. celebrating, and Fr. Reynaldo Clutario SOLT and Fr. Alvin Cayetano SOLT concelebrating. Donations in Brother Phillip\u0027s memory may be made to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, St. Frances Cabrini Conference, PO Box 1677, Camp Verde, AZ 86322. An online guestbook is available at www.westcottfuneralhome.com