Philip Carlisle Laro

Philip Carlisle Laro

Webster, NH - Philip Carlisle Laro passed away peacefully at home on January 18, 2025, surrounded by his family. Philip had been struggling with the debilitating effects of dementia for the past 14 years. In the spring of 2023, Phil and his wife Joan co-purchased a beautiful farmhouse in Webster, NH with their daughter and son in law. There, Philip was under the diligent and loving care of family. With the collective help of his loving wife, his children, son in law, granddaughter and grandson in law and the Granite VNA Hospice, Philips wish to never go into a nursing home was honored.

Philip was born in Lebanon, NH August 15, 1940, to Dorothy and Ernest Laro. Philip lived his childhood in Lebanon while spending his summers attending Camp Pinnacle boys camp in Lyme, NH. Philip graduated from Lebanon High School Class of 1959. Throughout his married life, Philip and his wife had homes in Norwich, Enfield, Quechee, Wilder and Webster, NH.

Philip appreciated the simple, but important things in life. Family, friends and the beauty of nature. He always enjoyed creating a beautiful home, working with his hands, gardening, being on his tractor, antiques, good music, good food and playing cards for money…and winning those card games! He enjoyed hunting and ice fishing locally. His annual lake fishing trips to Quebec, Canada, with his two sons and closest friends, brought him great joy. The excursions were epic and continued for 18 wonderful years.

Philip was a driven hard worker with a creative entrepreneurial spirit. His intuitive business sense, belief in hard work and sweat equity and the desire to do things right, were his secrets to success. He started his professional career in the grocery business. He grew tomatoes and winter squash in his own garden to wholesale to local restaurants and warehouses. In the mid 60's he managed the Super Duper grocery store on mechanic street in Lebanon, NH. In the early 70's he managed the P & C grocery store in Woodstock, VT. Philip started his entrepreneurial journey co-partnering the opening of The Farmers Market store on Mechanic Street, Lebanon. It was the Upper Valley's first produce only specialty store. After leaving the partnership Philip and his wife purchased and refurbished a commercial property on Rout 4, Quechee, Vt. Laro's Country Store became a local favorite for gas, groceries and conversation. Philip's father Ernest made his homemade doughnuts and pork pies to sell. After the sale of the country store, Philip started Laro's Distributing. He traveled the roads of Vermont selling maple products and smoked meats to country stores and Vermont travel destinations.

In 1980, Philip and Joan purchased the old Wood farm on Route 4, Quechee, VT. They restored the farmhouse back to life, cleaned up the barn and relocated a couple of barn buildings. Originally selling produce from an old orchard sprayer, the business rapidly expanded into those buildings. Laro's Farm Stand was a labor of love and a mainstay in the local community. Philip was a master of merchandising and marketing. The farm stand was recognized for its beautiful produce and plants, fresh baked goods, his mother in laws (Gram's) homemade jams, roasted corn and the "pumpkin tree". They sold in 1992 and opened two antique shops. In 1995, Phil and Joan purchased the Dewey Mill Barns at the Quechee Gorge, Quechee, VT. The buildings were renovated to accommodate two commercial tenants and Laro's New England Specialties. The family run business was a huge success catering to locals and travelers alike. They closed the store and sold the property in 2011 so they could finally retire.

In closing, Philip was a good man. He was happy and kind-hearted. He adored his wife Joan. Philip led his family with his calm strength and unconditional love. He will be profoundly missed by those who hold him dear.

Philip is survived by his wife of 64 years, Joan M. Laro of Webster, NH, daughter, Kimberly (Laro) Franke of Cabot, AR, daughter, Loralie (Laro) Durkee and son in law, Paul Durkee, of Webster, NH, son, Kevin Laro of Dunbarton, NH and David Laro of White River Jct., Vt. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Joshua Franke of Cabot, AR, Lindsay Durkee and fiancé Michael Morabito of Webster, NH, and Erik Franke of Cabot, AR and his great grandchildren of Cabot, AR.

Philip is preceded in death by his parents, Dorothy and Ernest Laro, sister, Shirley (Laro) Benoit of West Lebanon, NH, brother, Arthur E. Laro of Lyme, NH and brother, Reginald P. Laro of Lebanon, NH.

Calling hours will be held from 5-7PM on Friday, January 31, 2025, at the Knight Funeral Home in White River Junction, VT. A graveside service will take place in the Union Village Cemetery in Norwich, VT at 10am on Friday, May 2, 2025. A gathering at the family home in Webster, NH will follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Granite VNA Hospice at 30 Pillsbury Street, Concord, NH 03301.