Philip F. "Phil" Desmarais

It is with incredible sadness that we share the news of the passing of our father, Phil Desmarais. Phil passed away in his lifelong family home surrounded by the love of his family on the morning of October 3rd, 2024.
Phil was born in Leominster on 1/3/1939, educated in the city school system and was always proud to proclaim that he was a lifelong resident of Leominster. He met Elizabeth "Betty" Thornton, a pretty woman from Groton, at a young age and they married in 1958. They went on to have 3 beautiful children, Diane, Marlene and Phil Jr whom they shared their love with in the same family home that Phil grew up in. Phil enjoyed his children and taking the family on many vacations, adventures and excursions, usually on the spur of the moment as Phil was not much into long term planning.
He loved listening to his daughter Diane sing in local clubs, watching Marlene play softball and teaching Phil Jr how to ride motorcycles in his younger days. He really loved his family. In later years, he enjoyed spending time with his granddaughters.
At a young age, Phil was driven to master anything he set his sights on. An overachiever and not afraid to work hard, he developed a keen interest in anything mechanical and was able to fix just about anything. It was not uncommon to see him after school or work and on weekends under someone's car fixing brakes or troubleshooting engine or other problems. It was during this time that he developed an interest in motorcycles (specifically Harley Davidsons). At this young age, Phil dreamed of one day becoming a Harley Davidson dealer.
He continuously applied the hard work ethics instilled in him by his parents, Bertha and Phil Desmarais, who owned and operated the Turn Out in N. Leominster for many years where Phil often worked after school. When first married, he held various full and part time jobs to support his growing family including: the Hartnett Tannery in Ayer, McCarty Limo Service and Ronnie's Café. He then landed a job as a mechanic at Clark Forklift where he quickly became a superstar in the greater Worcester and expanded NE regions as the guy to call to troubleshoot complex problems. He serviced and supported many of the plastic factories and other industries in Leominster and the surrounding regions at that time. He progressed to Regional Sales and Service Manager managing 120+ people and designed complex and efficient warehousing and forklift solutions for many area companies.
While working for Clark, Phil's part time interest in motorcycles and his need for speed encouraged him and a crew of his closest buddies to create what became known as "The Beast" in 1965. Phil re-engineered his Harley 74 to boast a new Shelby Ford 302 V8 Engine. He was 1 of 3 individuals within the USA at that time to ride this type of drag racing motorcycle and was a pioneer in motorcycle drag racing. He successfully raced The Beast harnessing its 565 HP Nitro and Methanol fed engine and running 0-160 MPH in 9 seconds, always striving for that 8 second mile achievement in the Quarter mile. He ran on the weekends at dragstrips as far west as Ohio and into southern Canada until 1976. Phil and "The Beast" were featured in many racing publications including the cover of Cycle Sport in 1967 and the 1973 New England Dragway's Rules Book.
In 1976, Phil's childhood dream became reality when he put everything he owned on the line and opened American Harley Davidson, Inc. on Central Street (Route 12) in Leominster. Starting with just 2 fulltime employees and many supportive friends, Phil's Harley shop was immediately a great success. Year after year, he sold and serviced more and more Harleys while expanding his business several times. Phil received numerous Harley Davidson Awards of Excellence throughout his years. Phil was proud to be an American – which is why he chose to name his business American Harley Davidson.
Phil was a really fun person, had a great sense of humor and a wonderful smile. During riding season, Phil met up with friends at the Tankard in downtown Leominster on Tuesday and Friday nights and also Sunday mornings at American Harley Davidson for bike rides. He was the leader of the pack. He was also into snowmobiling (he raced a few years in the early 70's), attending BBQs with family and friends, NASCAR, Drag Racing, Football, going to the movies, improving and maintaining his properties, dancing and dining out. He learned navigating skills, received his Captains license and got into offshore powerboating. He owned several boats with each new one being larger and more powerful than the last. He loved visiting various places by boat. The bigger the waves, the bigger the rush.
Even though Phil became ill in 2021, he continued to work as much as he could. He just loved his Harley shop, his loyal staff, the motorcycles themselves and his customers. Honestly, Phil just loved working. His definition of play usually included working on something.
Phil was inducted as a Legendary Leominster honoree in August 2023.
Phil just always believed that you get what you give and he was a man that gave much all his life. In the months and weeks prior to his death, Phil received much kindness back his way. "Phil Demar" and his American Harley Davidson logo was placed on a dragster and a motorcycle drag bike at the NHRA Grand Nationals over Labor Day weekend. Demar was back on the drag strip once again. F-Troop's annual ride evolved into a parade past Phil's house with over 120 bikes in September. He also received over 100 cards in the mail the 2 weeks prior to his death. Phil looked forward to receiving the mail every day. He opened and read each card and the wonderful sentiments that were written in them to him. He really couldn't believe that so many people were thinking of him. It just meant a lot to him.
Phil is survived by his daughter Diane and husband Sean Klingaman, daughter Marlene Desmarais and husband Scott Nauman, his son Phil and wife Chrissy Desmarais, granddaughters Kristen Levine, Elizabeth Desmarais, Lindsey Desmarais and Brittney and husband Corey Maki, great grandchildren Cailyn, Kendall and Brayson Maki. He is also survived by his longtime companion Elly Przybyszewski who cared for Phil during his illness and his GrandCat Walter Renfield.
Phil is predeceased by his wife Betty Desmarais who passed away in 1986. Phil always carried a picture of Betty in his wallet throughout the remainder of his life. He was also predeceased by his parents Bertha and Philip Desmarais, sisters Margie, Dorothy, Trudy and Lorraine and his wonderful dog Brutus who we are certain is happy to be reunited with him now.
We thank all who reached out to Phil with visits, cards, phone calls and your wonderful warm thoughts and prayers. He truly felt loved until the moment he passed.
Calling hours are Tuesday, October 8th, 2024, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Richardson Funeral Home, 106 West St. Leominster. A funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, October 9th at 10:00 AM at St. Leo Parish, 108 Main St., Leominster. Motorcyclist are asked to meet at St Leo's Church at 9:30 AM. The procession will leave St. Leo's Church to take Phil for one last ride by his beloved American Harley Davidson, 1437 Central Streel (Route 12) and then onto Evergreen Cemetery, Leominster for his Burial service.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Sterling Animal Shelter, 17 Laurelwood Rd, Sterling, MA 01564, Leominster Veteran Service's, 100 West Street, Leominster, MA 01453 or Worcester County Motorcyclists' Survivor's Fund, www.WCMCFUND.org.
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