Philip Henry Lendroth

Philip Henry Lendroth, age 71, of Northford, CT, passed away on Sunday, April 15, 2018 at Connecticut Hospice. Big Phil fought valiantly against intravascular large B-cell lymphoma, a (less than) one-in-a-million diagnosis for a one-in-a-million man. Phil was born on January 27, 1947, son of the late Philip and Eva (Gamache) Lendroth. Phil and his sisters, Linda and Carol, were raised in North Haven. 

Phil and Donna (Ambriscoe) married on June 25, 1982.  They welcomed Rebecca Anne (1983, “only you,” wife of Benjamin Hyland) and Philip Andrew (1987, “little Phil 574,” husband of Ashley nee Deegan). Every summer was spent eating lobster, tubing, hiking Mt. Washington, and swimming Little Eddie in North Conway, NH. Phil devoted his life to his family, and he would do anything in the world to support his wife and children. He was truly a man like none other.

Phil was a retired school psychologist, working tirelessly for ACES and the GIL Foundation to provide for developmentally disabled children and adults. Before retiring from ACES, he was the department chair for school psychology. His compassion and ethic were unmatched. His humor (“Is that wrong?”) was unbeatable. He touched many lives, often hearing from families decades after he stopped working with their children.

Phil was a swimmer (with 135% lung capacity as he liked to point out!). He served in the army from 1967 to 1969 and was stationed in Germany. Phil studied psychology and sang in the Quinnipiac College chorus. He was very proud of his greatest achievement: being removed from the Vatican for starting the Hallelujah Chorus a wee too early! Phil was a notorious jokester, a terrible guitar player, and an amateur meteorologist.

His greatest loves included helping his son Phil build his PALCO Construction business, watching his son play sports and dirt-biking, and spending days on the boat, zipping around Lake Winnipesauke, the Connecticut River, and crossing over to Long Island. He loved doting on his daughter, taking road trips to see her when she lived in Virginia, and spoiling his grand-puppies Avery, Austin, and Vada. Each summer he devoted hours to his vegetable gardens, sharing the bounty with anyone who would accept it. He spent the remaining summer hours washing (and “marine” waxing) the cars and mowing the lawn.  He loved music, Caribbean Stud Poker, creating amazingly organized Excel sheets, and doing the bills. Friendly Phil could talk to anyone about anything, including your voicemail… for hours!

He is survived by his wife and children; his sister Linda Eliason, and her children Alan, Christine, John, and Richard; and his cousins Betsy, Pete, Linda, and Adam. He is predeceased by his parents and grandparents, as well as his sister Carol and beloved aunt Irm. He and his family wish to thank the caring staff at the Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale, Gaylord Hospital, and the Connecticut Hospice.

All who wish to pay respects may join the family at Keenan Funeral Home in North Branford on Friday, April 20 from 4-7 pm.  A celebration of his life will be held at the First Congregational Church in Branford on Saturday, April 21 at 12:00 p.m., with a luncheon to follow. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating, in Phil’s name, to:

GIL Foundation, Inc.

PO Box 7331

Prospect, CT  06712

www.gilfoundation.com

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