ASCUTNEY, Vt. – Ernest W. “Ernie” Shand Jr. passed away peacefully and comfortably on Tuesday, Sept. 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, N.H., 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 Feb. 3, 1940, in New Haven, Conn. 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 Aug. 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, Conn., they settled in Ascutney, Vt., 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, Conn., Volunteer Fire Department, and after moving to Vermont, joined the Ascutney Volunteer Fire Department, where he served for more than 50 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 10 years, earning the respect of his colleagues as a thoughtful, hardworking 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; and 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, Oct. 17, from 4-7 p.m., at Stringer Funeral Home in Claremont, N.H. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, Oct. 18, at 10:30 a.m., 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, P.O. Box 345, Ascutney, VT 05030; Weathersfield Proctor Library, P.O. Box 519, Ascutney, VT 05030; or Ascutney Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 91, Ascutney, VT 05030.