Philip H Bilodeau

Philip H. Bilodeau of Deerfield, NH died unexpectedly on January 5th, 2026 due to complications from emergency surgery. Phil is survived by his wife Joan (Collins) Bilodeau, his son Philip Ben Bilodeau, his daughter Aimee Bilodeau Robertson, his grandson Owen Robertson, sister Suzanne Dlugosz, daughter in law Jacqueline Houseman, brother-in-law John Collins, sister-in-law Mary Wanzelak, nephew Chris Wanzelak, and great-niece Kyleigh Wanzelak. And friends that were very special in his life, Jennifer Sherburne Keegan, Cindy Hanson, Ellen Myers, Sybil Desilets.

Phil was born in Manchester NH on October 25th, 1948 to Normand Bilodeau and Denise (Breton) Bilodeau. He graduated from Bishop Bradley High School in Manchester in 1966 where he excelled as a defensive end on the football team, earning the honor of being selected for the Shrine Maple Sugar Bowl. He earned a 4-year scholarship to East Carolina University in North Carolina to continue playing football. He graduated with a degree in physics and was voted a North Carolina all state athlete.

Phil met the love of his life Joan while in high school. The two married in the summer of 1969 and in 1974 Phil and Joan bought their property on Nottingham road in Deerfield. Phil worked tirelessly to transform an overgrown old homesite into a beautiful, park like, sanctuary. They remained partners and best friends for 56 years, traveling often and walking the beaches on the coast of Maine, Ireland, North Carolina and returning often to Quebec City to celebrate his French Canadian heritage.

After graduating college, Phil was drafted into the Army where he served as a Military Police officer at the DMZ in Korea and because of his ability to speak French was chosen to be the personal guard and driver for the Swiss Delegation. Upon returning home from his service, Phil earned his masters degree in civil engineering from the University of New Hampshire and began a job at the Water Supply & Pollution Control Division for the state of New Hampshire. He also earned his masters degree in business leadership from Franklin Pierce University.

Phil had a long career working for the City of Concord. Starting in the engineering department before moving to the General Services Department. He retired from the city of Concord in 2016 with the title of Deputy Director of Public Works. Not one to sit idle, and realizing retirement was not for him, he moved on to manage a large-scale water treatment plant project in Saco, Maine, and subsequently worked as a construction supervisor on the new pump station at the Concord Water Treatment plant. Throughout his long career, he built lasting personal and professional relationships that he maintained long after he retired for the last time in 2023.

Phil was an active member of the New England Water Works Association, as well as the New Hampshire Water Works Association where he served on the legislative committee and was elected president. As a very active member of his community in Deerfield, he served not only on the planning board, but also on the MBC, Forestry Committee, and was currently the chairperson of the Cemetery Trustees. He had a love for keeping his town beautiful where he was recognized as a quiet presence, never seeking praise, and if he saw something that needed doing, he got it done.

Phil was a supportive and proud father and grandfather, always on the sidelines, whether it was a soccer match, a pony club event or a school play. Most recently, he could be found on the sidelines of all of his grandson Owen’s football, basketball and baseball games at Kennet High School in North Conway, NH.

Phil will always be remembered for his kind heart, and his life philosophy; give back, do your civic duty, and leave the world better than you found it.

The family will be hosting a celebration of life in the spring. In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to Bear-Paw Regional Greenways- https://www.bear-paw.org