John Philip (Phil) Shand – 1955-2024

John Philip (Phil) Shand, beloved husband, father, Papa, brother, uncle and friend was born on January 11, 1955, in Burlington Vermont to Conrad Shand and Florence Shand (Isham). He grew up in Alstead, New Hampshire and continued to visit family in Burlington for years. He attended Fall Mountain Regional High School in Langdon, NH where he met the love of his life in 1972, Patty Bailey. He graduated in 1973 and they were married in April of 1975. They settled in Charlestown and welcomed their first daughter Mackenzie in September of 1976, followed by their second daughter Hillary in June of 1978.

Phil worked at J&L in Springfield, Vermont, and then at Bremco, Inc. where he stayed until he retired after 42 years. Phil traveled consistently during his time at Bremco, but his presence was always felt at home with nightly phone calls and not a birthday or special occasion missed. He would fill his airplane hours reading his John Sanford books, which he loved and always had the upcoming releases on pre-order.

He was a family man at heart who loved being with his immediate and extended family as well as friends. He was a huge soccer fan, playing throughout school. One of the many highlights of his soccer career was scoring the winning goal in overtime during the first Bernard Cup a loved and fierce competition between Fall Mountain and Stevens and years after in a men's league where he was known by many as the man that just kept going. Later he could often be found quietly observing both of his daughters from the sidelines during their soccer games, of course on the drive home he always had some points on play that we would go over. Then years later he would watch (not so quietly) and cheer on grandson Eli and granddaughter Addey at their games. This change reminded his girls of how his father Conrad would watch their games.  Phil loved listening to granddaughter Ila sing even though he could not make it to all her performances he would listen and watch recordings, again his presence was always felt.

Phil loved being outside in the sun. He was an avid gardener and enjoyed fishing. He spent years floating down the Connecticut River, either with his buddies on the annual "Broken Paddle" canoe/camping trip or with the Bailey clan during their annual adventure down the river. During the cold weather months, Phil would look forward to prepping his sugar shack for the upcoming sugaring season when family and friends would gather to make some New Hampshire liquid gold.

Phil was predeceased by his mother and father Florence and Conrad, two brothers Craig (Bubby) Shand and Michael Shand as well as sister-in-law Valerie Bailey and patriarch of the Bailey clan, Charles Bailey.

He is survived by his loving wife of 49 years, Patty Shand (Bailey), daughter MacKenzie Royce, her husband Travis and grandchildren Eli and Addey (Adeline) Royce. Daughter Hillary Gorby and granddaughter Ila Gorby. His beloved dogs Maggie & Chloe.  Sister-in-law Linda Shand, Amanda Shand, Missy Neily (Kenny), Sister-in-law Sandy Shand, Jennifer Chouinard (Steve), Jayna (Ennis) Shand.  Brother Stephen Shand (Roxanne) Jeremy Shand (Lindsay), Jamie Shand (Christee) and Jessie Proulx (Todd). Sister Lynne Streeter, Chris Sumner (Mic) and Scott Sumner (Laura). Matriarch of the Bailey clan Gertrude Bailey-Byrnes. Monique Bailey (Tim). Robert (Beetle) Bailey (Cheryl). Patrick Bailey (Karen). Rosemary Griffin (Dennis). Laurie Monty and husband Mark, who was Phil's lifelong best friend. Jeffrey Bailey (Jeannie). Steven Bailey (Liz). Lifelong friends, Tim Wetherell and Jon Whitcomb, many special nieces and nephews and their children.

Thoughts from Phil we'll keep close to our hearts…

Coffee is very important.

Wake up with the sun. If you sleep until 8, the day is half over.

Wake up early and walk on the empty beach.

Love the sun.

There's nothing better than watching a soccer game.

Go to work. Show up and do your job.

Never be afraid to hug and kiss those closest to you and always say "I love you."

Phil will be remembered for many things by many people, but mostly as being "such a good guy" by all who knew him.

There will be a Celebration of Life at Vilas Pool (Acworth Road, Alstead NH 03602) on Saturday, August 17th from 3:00-7:00 pm. All are welcome to come celebrate Phil with a Budweiser. We hope to see you there.

In lieu of flowers…

Please donate blood (Phil was a universal donor and gave whenever he could)

Or

Please donate to the Fall Mountain girls' and boys' soccer programs.

Make checks payable to:  Fall Mountain Athletic Department (Please be sure to write girls and boys soccer program in the memo)

Send checks to:

Fall Mountain Athletic Department

134 Fmrhs Rd.

Langdon, NH 03602