Philip M. Strawn “Papa Bear”, 85, of Wareham, died Dec. 6 at the McCarthy Care Center in Sandwich.

Born in Wareham, he was the son of the late Florence (Stringer) and Elmer Merritt Strawn, and was a lifelong resident. Mr. Strawn served in the U.S. Army during the Korean conflict. He was discharged in 1954 as a corporal.

For 20 years, Mr. Strawn worked as an insurance salesman for Boston Mutual Life Insurance Company. He then was Wareham Town Collector for 27 years, retiring in 2000.

An active citizen of Wareham, Mr. Strawn coached Wareham Little League and Gateway Babe Ruth baseball for 53 years, was a 50-year member and 50-year Past Master of Social Harmony Lodge A.F. & A.M., 50-year member of Cromesett Tribe # 156 Improved Order of Red Men, a member of the Wareham Republican Town Committee, a member of the Gleason Family YMCA fundraising committee and Sunday School Superintendent for Wesley United Methodist Church for 20 years.

He is survived by his children, Beth Crocker and her husband Kevin, Ralph Strawn, Teresa Strawn, and Laurie Strawn all of Wareham, Lisa Kusinsky and her husband Tom of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Penny Hennrikus and her husband Jack of Rochester, New Hampshire; his siblings, William Thieman of Lexington, Missouri, Christine Fielding of Wareham, Lee Strawn of Home, Pennsylvania, and Lou Ann Cuddemi of Dartmouth; his former wife, Marie E. Strawn; 11 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his brother, the late Edwin Strawn.

His funeral service will be held on Dec. 12 at Wesley United Methodist Church, 462 Main St., Wareham at 10 a.m. Interment will be in Center Cemetery, Wareham. Relatives and friends are invited to visit at the Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home, 2599 Cranberry Highway (Route 28), Wareham on Monday, Dec. 11 from 4 to 8 p.m.

Donations in his memory may be made to McCarthy Care Center c/o of Hope Health, 765 Attucks Ln., Hyannis, MA 02601. For directions and online guestbook, visit: www.ccgfuneralhome.com.