Philip C. Boardman, 78

SHEFFIELD, Mass. — Philip C. Boardman, a lifetime resident of Hewins Street, Sheffield, passed away November 6, 2017, surrounded by his loving family and friends. Death occurred due to a recently discovered cancer, as well as many prior serious illnesses.

Born Nov. 14, 1938, he was the son of the late Edgar Boardman and Eleanor Moulton Boardman of Sheffield. Philip grew up working on the family farm, where he enjoyed the animals and loved the land. He felt fortunate to build his home and raise his family on a portion of the farmland. Every day he spent time looking at a beautiful view of the unspoiled land, the land his grandfather, Edwin, purchased in 1900 and farmed with his father Edgar for many years.

He leaves behind his wife of 50 years, Barbara Beneat; son Matthew and wife Leah and their three sons, Nicholas, Conner, and Levi of Sheffield, Mass.; son Eric and wife Amy and their four children Ethan, Garrett, Elizabeth and Madison of Monterey, Mass.; and daughter Kristine and husband Paul Croeber and their two children, Luke and Eila of Epping, N.H. He also leaves his twin sister Phyllis Joyce and many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by infant granddaughter, Michaela; his two nieces, Cindy Boardman and goddaughter Betsy Joyce; and two brothers, Richard M. and Edgar S. Boardman.

Philip graduated from Mount Everett Regional High School, class of 1956, and the University of Massachusetts Stockbridge School of Agriculture. He was an avid hunter, golfer, and bowler. He was employed as a manager at Sheffield Plastics for twenty years. After retiring from there, he joined the Moritz family at Aquatic Designs of Sheffield for over twenty years. In addition to full time employment, he performed many extra jobs for fifty years mowing lawns, painting houses, and working part-time for Ashner Benjamin Furniture Company and NAPA Auto Parts.

After graduating from UMASS, Philip served in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Germany. He was an active member of American Legion Post 340, assuming many leadership roles including commander and officer. For over forty years he proudly placed flags on veterans' graves at all Sheffield's 13 cemeteries in honor of Memorial Day. In addition, he gathered and delivered Christmas gifts for disabled veterans to nursing homes and hospitals in Southern Berkshire and the Northampton Veterans' Hospital.

Funeral notice: A funeral service was conducted by Philip's cousin, Bishop Jack McKelvey, and words of condolence were offered by friend John Moritz. Burial with military honors followed at Sheffield Center Cemetery on Saturday, November 11, 2017. Pall bearers were grandsons Ethan, Garrett, Nicholas, Conner and Levi Boardman, and nephews Major Kenneth Brooks and Charles Joyce. Major Brooks presented the flag to his Aunt Barbara.

Memorial donations in Philip Boardman's memory may be made to the Sheffield American Legion Post 340 or the Berkshire Humane Society through Finnerty & Stevens Funeral Home, 426 Main Street, Great Barrington, MA 01230.