Perley William Philbrick

He was born in Keene, NH on August 29, 1937 to Perley and Mildred “Viola” (Richardson) Philbrick. He married Sandra L. Thayer in 1961. She preceded him in 2011. His son Keith Edward preceded him in 1987. His son Todd William preceded him in 2007. Also preceding him are his sisters Nancy Howe, of Vernon, VT, Anne Hubbard, of Swanzey, NH and brother Kenneth Philbrick of Keene.

Perley is survived by his daughter Jill-Ann Ouellette of Livingston, MT, granddaughter Holli Bowers, and great-grandson Mason Bowers of Manchester, CT, brothers Franklin Philbrick previously from Sullivan, and Arthur Philbrick of Chesterfield, along with many nephews, nieces and many extended family.

Perley was known as "Bill" because his father was Perley. He grew up on Howard St. on the north side of Keene. He met Sandy and her infant son Keith and fell in love. Not long after, Todd arrived, then Jill shortly after. They bought a house on Colony Ct., which became a hub of neighborhood kid activities. Bill built many versions of cabins in the backyard with his boys. He watched the boys little league games, Todd’s high school games and Todd’s men's softball league games. When the above- ground pool was installed in the backyard, it became a frequent stopping point especially for his granddaughter and the whole family, including children of nephews/nieces, cousins and friends. Bill was an avid Nascar fan, Dale Earnhardt Sr. being his all time favorite driver followed by Junior, and lastly, Chase Elliot. The last race he watched was the Goodyear 400 when Chase came in third.

Bill was a long-term employee at Marlboro Manufacturing on Island St., working as a furniture dipper until the business closed. At the same time, he worked delivering furniture for Bloomers Furniture on weekends. He never got his driver's license until he was thirty-five years old, oops! He also threw a shingle or two for Bunny LeClair's roofing company, Bill lived having many irons in the fire. He was the poster boy for "hard work." Together he and Sandy made and sold many crafts over the years like animal-themed cutting boards, clothespin pin cushion chairs, Christmas ornaments, etc.

When he was in his thirties driving home from work one summer day he saw a man and woman at the Recreation Center pond screaming and jumping up and down for “ HELP." Bill stopped the car, threw his wallet on the ground, flipped off his shoes as he ran to the pond, jumped in and saved their drowning sons life. He arrived home soaking wet.

Bill was a foreman for the construction crew that refurbished the Colony Mill on West St. His last gig was as building maintenance for Bradshaw & Bradshaw and continued when Toby Tousley bought the commercial buildings. During all these years, he maintained near-perfect attendance at Dunkin Donuts in the wee hours of the morning six days a week. He often said he was the last man standing from the original crew that created the Dunkin Donuts squad back in the 60’s. Bill retired in 2014, maintaining the Dunkin Donuts routine until right before his passing.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to, Monadnock Humane Society in Swanzey.

No services at this time. Their will be a private ceremony in the fall.