Lifelong Concord resident Jack Arthur Philbrick died peacefully on February 23rd, surrounded by his beloved family. Born in Concord on July 11, 1939, to Clara G. (Audet) and Lawrence H. Philbrick, Jack grew up in a boisterous and fun-loving household as the ninth of eleven siblings in Concord's south end. As a teenager he ventured briefly away from Concord, working on a relative's dairy farm in Ohio during the summers and living with his oldest brother in Florida where he began high school. After returning and graduating from Concord High School in 1957, Jack continued a proud family tradition of service, joining the United States Air Force and serving with the Strategic Air Command on bases in Texas, South Dakota and Colorado.

Back in Concord Jack made "the most significant small decision that had big consequences" when he agreed to a blind date with Sandra Lamere, a nursing student at Concord Hospital. He fell head over heels, and they married a year later during a blizzard in her northern Vermont hometown. Sandra was the love of his life, and their 62 years together were centered around raising their three children, participating in community sporting leagues, hours of healthy competition in the many games he loved, gatherings with family and traveling near and far. Family was his pride and joy.

Jack also had a strong work ethic and was proud of his dedicated 40-year career with New Hampshire Distributors, starting as a part-time worker on the delivery trucks. His hard work, loyalty and natural gift with people led him to sales and he retired as Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing and with lifelong friends made throughout his career.

In addition to family and career, Jack found time for community. He coached Concord National Little League and Concord Youth Hockey, was a lifetime Member of the American Legion, longtime member of Third Thursday Investment Club, the Fraternal Order of the Eagles and the Seymour Lake Association. He competed in the Couples Bowling League, Concord Men's Dart League and was a charter member of the Concord Budmen softball team.

Jack was an avid and skilled fisherman who had fond memories of time spent on the water (and ice) with his father and brothers, and who loved introducing his children and grandchildren to the hobby that gave him so much joy. After retiring Jack spent summers with Sandra at Seymour Lake in Morgan, Vermont where he had more time to perfect his craft, as well as to create more memories of boating, horseshoes, cribbage, card games and hosting epic campfires with his grandchildren and many friends.

Jack touched so many with his wit, generosity and love, and will be deeply missed. He is survived by his cherished wife of 61 years Sandra (Lamere) Philbrick; daughter Kim and her husband Dave (McCabe) of Sharon, MA, sons Todd and his wife Marianne of Sanbornton, NH and Thomas and his wife Aileen of Concord; his nine grandchildren, Elizabeth Philbrick (Dean Coville-Carney), Benjamin Philbrick (Isabella Czech Philbrick), Quinn McCabe, Rachel Philbrick, Samuel McCabe, Jack Philbrick, Ronan McCabe, Devin Philbrick and Ryan Philbrick; one brother, Gerard Philbrick and his wife Deborah of Gulfport, MS; several cousins, nieces, nephews and many friends. He was predeceased by his parents, brothers Robert, Richard, Paul, Albert, Lawrence Jr., Edward and Harry and sisters, Irene, who died in infancy, Barbara and Dorothy.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Jack's memory to the Granite VNA Hospice House in Concord, or to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research.

Visiting hours will be held on Sunday March 2nd, from 2-5 pm at Waters Funeral Home, 50 South Main Street, Concord.

A Funeral Mass will be held at St John the Evangelist Church, 72 South Main Street, Concord, NH on Monday March 3rd at 10 am.