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Philip Andrew Pessoni

Philip Andrew Pessoni, 86, of Westbrook, passed away on Oct. 15, 2024. Phil was born April 6, 1938, in Middletown, the son of Joseph and Helen (Kidney) Pessoni. He was a graduate of Middletown High School and a graduate of Wesleyan University, Class of 1959.

After graduating from Wesleyan University, where he was an active member of the Chi Psi fraternity and the swim team, Phil worked as a lifeguard at the Madison Beach Club in Madison. In 1959, he enlisted in the National Guard, serving six months active duty in Fort Dix, New Jersey. Following in his father’s footsteps, he began to work in banking on Wall Street but soon realized his passion was in photography and photo processing.

In 1964, he opened Lexington Photo Labs in New York City. This career led him to meet and develop friendships with many famous artists and high-profile people who trusted him with their personal and professional works. It was also this business that would bring him to meet his wife Patti of 47 years.

They moved to Pound Ridge, New York, where they married, raised two daughters, and immersed themselves in the local community. Phil was a member of the Masters Singers of Westchester, was the Pound Ridge town historian for many years, and worked with the trailside museum where he did historical research and led hikes in the Pound Ridge Reservation, a place he loved spending time exploring with his family and golden retriever Chessy.

After selling his photo lab, Phil went on to work a few property management jobs and ultimately for Airlie Group in Greenwich, where he would retire. Phil and Patti retired to the Pessoni family summer home in Westbrook in 2008. Long Island shoreline was a very special place for Phil his entire life. He enjoyed sailing his sunfish, taking walks with Patti, and researching local history, and he published two books about Old Saltworks Road and Sagamore Terrace. Phil spent the last three years living close to his daughters and grandchildren in Massachusetts.

He is predeceased by his wife, Patti Pessoni. He is survived by his daughters, Anne Lemieux (Jason Lemieux) and Clare Frey (Pete Frey); grandchildren: Ethan and Graham Lemieux, Connor, Emma, and Nicholas Frey.

Memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 23, at The First Congregational Church of Westbrook, 1166 Boston Post Road, Westbrook.