Douglas Herman Philipsen

Douglas Herman ‘Doug’ Philipsen 85, of Johnson, Vt died at home on Tuesday September 26, 2023. He was born April 22, 1938, on his Grandfather’s (Albert Mills) farm in Florence, VT, the son of Marion Mills Philipsen and Dr. William Herman Philipsen DVM.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years Mary Marvin Philipsen of Johnson, VT, his daughter Marion Philipsen Seasholtz and her husband Matt of Johnson VT, his son Douglas Herman Philipsen II of Glen Gardner, NJ, his grandson Cameron Allen Philipsen of Frisco, TX, grand daughters Kaitlyn Ann Philipsen of Scranton, PA, Brynn Correll Philipsen of Glen Gardner, NJ, brother David L. Philipsen and his wife Maryanne of Brandon, VT. He was predeceased by his brother William Alan Philipsen and sister in law Barbara McGee Philipsen.

Doug was an eagle scout and a graduate of Brandon High school. He graduated from Middlebury College with a BA, and Cornell University with an MBA. Upon graduation from Middlebury College ROTC he received his commission as Second Lieutenant in the US Army. He served in the Alaska Yukon command 538 Ordinance, Fairbanks, AK. While in Alaska he received his private pilot license and his multi engine rating. When off duty Doug and Mary tried to see as much of Alaska as possible given the great distances and size of the state. He loved flying and always hoped to get back to it. He was honorably discharged from the Army in 1964 and started his business career at Ford Motor Company engineering and research staff in Dearborn, MI. From there he went to W.R. Grace and Co. in Cambridge, MA. He started his banking career at the Boston Safe Deposit and Trust Co as Chief Financial Officer. Followed by Senior Vice President and then Executive Vice President at Essex Bank in Peabody MA; President and CEO of Berkshire Bank; Trust Company, Pittsfield, MA; Regional President of Bank of New England in Worcester, MA; and retired from Rockland Trust Company as CEO and Chairman of Independent Bank Corp 2003. He served as Director and Treasurer of several regional YMCA’s including Lynne MA, where he received the exemplar of service for his contribution to the stability of the Lynne YMCA. He was active in the Massachusetts Banker’s Association.

Doug had a great sense of humor, and enjoyed being the life of the party. He always had a quick quip and loved a good story. He enjoyed wearing unusual hats and making people laugh. Spending time with family was important to him. He especially enjoyed a boat ride on Lake Champlain.

Doug loved the outdoors and spent weekends and vacations in Vermont at Lake Dunmore, his childhood home in Brandon, and in Johnson. He rediscovered his love of machinery from his Grandfather’s farm and enjoyed building roads and working to improve the land he enjoyed with his family. They had always planned to retire to Vermont and in 2020 he moved with his wife Mary from Duxbury, MA to a home the family built together in Johnson, VT.

A Celebration of Life will be held at The East Side Restaurant in Newport, VT on Sunday, November 5 at 1pm. Donations in Doug’s memory can be made to Lamoille Home Health, 54 Farr Ave Morrisville, VT 05661 or the Johnson (Volunteer) Fire Dept, PO Box 447, Johnson, VT 05656.

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