Ernest Shand Jr.
Ascutney, VT – Ascutney, Vermont Ernest (Ernie) W. Shand, Jr. passed
away peacefully and comfortably on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, with
his family by his side. His strength-both of body and spirit-was
evident to the end, as he spent his final days at the Jack Byrne
Center in Lebanon, NH, following a diagnosis of colon cancer.
A loving and dedicated husband, father, grandfather, friend, and
community member, Ernie will be remembered for his humor, leadership,
kindness, mentorship, generosity of time, and the unmistakable twinkle
in his eye.
He once told his daughter that all that needed to be written about him
was:
“My family was my life, and I lived a good one.”
While this is true, there is so much more to share.
Ernie was born on February 3, 1940, in New Haven, CT. He attended West
Haven High School, enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard upon graduation,
and later began a long career with the phone company.
He met the love of his life, Loraine “Cookie” Lindberg, during the
summer of 1966, and they married on August 18, 1967. Their marriage,
full of love and laughter, served as an inspiration to all who knew
them. After a few happy years in Branford, CT, they settled in
Ascutney, Vermont, in 1973-and never left.
Though Ernie enjoyed a successful career in telecommunications, it was
his time in the Coast Guard that shaped his lifelong dedication to
service. He joined in 1958 at age 18, drawn by its mission of search
and rescue. His four years in the service taught him discipline,
structure, and punctuality-and introduced him to fire suppression
work, which would guide him into his role as a volunteer firefighter.
Ernie served with the Branford, CT, Volunteer Fire Department, and
after moving to Vermont, joined the Ascutney Volunteer Fire
Department, where he served for over fifty years. He held the roles of
deputy chief and training officer for much of that time.
Ernie’s deep commitment to community extended well beyond the
firehouse. At the Ascutney Union Church, he was a deacon, choir
member, and all-around helper-always ready to lend a hand. He also
served as a trustee of the Weathersfield Proctor Library, playing a
key role in the addition of its Children’s Wing. For six years, he
served as a trustee of the Coolidge Foundation in Plymouth. Whether it
was leading a major project or quietly taking care of little
things-like serving as the unofficial mouse control officer for both
the church and the library-Ernie did it with a smile and a servant’s
heart.
Never one to sit idle, Ernie ran for and was elected to the Vermont
House of Representatives after retiring from the phone company. He
proudly represented Weathersfield and Cavendish for ten years, earning
the respect of his colleagues as a thoughtful, hard-working
legislator.
Ernie was predeceased by his beloved wife Cookie, his son Daniel, his
brother Robert, and his sister Mary. He is survived by his daughters
Wafica Brooks, Mavis (Missy) Ellingwood, and Heather Shand; his
son-in-law Brian Ellingwood; all of Ascutney/Weathersfield; as well as
seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
The family offers endless thanks to the compassionate and expert
hospice staff at Bayada and the Jack Byrne Center, whose support
ensured that Ernie’s final journey was peaceful and dignified.
Calling hours will be held on Friday, October 17, from 4:007:00 p.m.
at Stringer Funeral Home in Claremont, NH.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, October
18, at the Ascutney Union Church, followed by a reception at Martin
Memorial Hall.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to:
Ascutney Union Church, PO Box 345, Ascutney, VT 05030
Weathersfield Proctor Library, PO Box 519, Ascutney, VT 05030
Ascutney Volunteer Fire Department, PO Box 91, Ascutney, VT 05030
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