Wilder, Vt. — Philip E. Trottier died on March 14, 2017, at his home in Fair Haven, Vt., where he resided with his daughter, Teresa Fisher. He died following a short illness, having lived a long and active life until age 96.

He was born on June 29, 1920 in Wilder to Joseph L. Trottier and Rosa Alair Trottier and was one of eight children. On July 1, 1944 he married his high school sweetheart, Vera Flint of Tunbridge, Vt. They were married for 71 years and had two children, Brian Trottier and Teresa Trottier Fisher.

Phil graduated in 1939 from South Royalton High School (Vermont). After several years of working on the family farm he enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1946. He served in the Korean Occupation during World War II. Upon his return home in 1947, Phil was employed by Eastern States Farmers’ Exchange in South Royalton. He then managed stores for the company (later known as Agway) in Claremont, N.H. (1955-1960) and in Brattleboro, Vt. (1960-1967). He subsequently co-established and operated Fineline Mobile Home Sales in Hinsdale, N.H. Upon his retirement, he and Vera spent winters in Ocala and Largo, Fla. In 2000, they relocated their summer residency from Brattleboro to their son’s home in Wilder. And more recently, they resided with their daughter in Fair Haven,

While in South Royalton, Phil served many years as a Director and Chairman of the School Board, assisting in the creation of the present high school. In Florida he was active in the Lake Placid Park community, and served on both the Board of Directors and Finance Committee. He was an officer in the Vermont Club in Largo, and a member of the American Legion Post #26 in White River Jet., Vt.

Phil enjoyed hunting, sports, and working in his vegetable gardens. He especially enjoyed time with his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and loving neighbors. He often said, “My family is small in quantity and big in quality.”

Phil leaves his son, Brian (and spouse, Patricia) of Wilder, and daughter, Teresa of Fair Haven; granddaughters, Sara Trottier Rice and Abby Trottier Spina of White River Jct. and Colby Fisher Gray of South Hadley, Mass.; four great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife, Vera; his parents (Joseph and Rosa); brothers (Lucien, Rudolphe, Eugene, and Paul Trottier); sisters (Elizabeth Benedict, Bertha Monica, and Leah Adams Chamberlain) and son-in-law Michael Fisher.

The funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on March 31, 2017, at West Lebanon Congregational Church, 18 Maple Street, West Lebanon, N.H., with reception to follow. In his memory, the family requests that you emulate his commitment to family, friends, and community by offering your own act of kindness.

Knight Funeral Home in White River Jct., has been entrusted with arrangements.