Philip M. Royce, a resident of Reading for 38 years, passed away on April 13, 2017 at the Sawtelle Family Hospice House in Reading. He was 88 years of age. Philip was born in Nashua, New Hampshire on May 22, 1928 and was the son of the late William C. and Azubah (Austin) Royce.

He was a member of the Church of the Good Shepherd in Reading. He was an active member of Good Samaritan Lodge A.F. & A.M. in Reading, the Wakefield Retired Men's Club and the Anchor Club in New Hampton, NH. Philip proudly served his country during WW II and the Korean War in the U.S. Air Force and was honorably discharged with the rank of Sergeant.

Philip was the beloved husband of 40 years to Judith M. (Martin) Royce. Devoted father of Mary Elizabeth Royce and her husband Mike Farrell of New London, CT and Sandra Eve Ford and her husband Kip of Rowayton, CT. Loving brother of the late Isabel Launier. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, April 18 at the Douglass, Edgerley and Bessom Funeral Home 25 Sanborn St. (corner of Woburn St.), Reading at 11:00 am. Funeral home visiting hours will be held on Monday from 4:00-8:00pm. A Masonic service will be held by the officers and members of Good Samaritan Lodge at 7:00pm. Burial is private.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in Philip's memory to Society of Preservation for New Hampshire's Forest 54 Portsmouth St. Concord NH 03301-5400, the Anchor Club PO Box 729 Mattapoisett, MA 02739 or the charity of one's choice.