Philip W. Jacques

Philip "Phil" W. Jacques, a proud Gardner resident for most of his 79 years, passed away peacefully on July 21, 2023, after a short illness. 

Phil was born in Gardner on January 2, 1944, to Arthur and Mercedes (Dorval) Jacques; he wouldn’t hesitate to tell you that he was the first child born in Gardner that year. He was a student at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary and a 1961 graduate of Gardner High School, remaining close to his fellow graduates and serving on the reunion committee for many years.

The first of Phil’s jobs was as a salesman at Students Shoes; he set the tone for his career by being meticulous in the upkeep of the store. He worked for many years as a Foreman at S. Bent & Brothers and later as the Director of Environmental Services at Heywood Hospital. While his career took him to places like Jacksonville and Hyannis, he was never truly happy unless he was near his family in Gardner. His true passion was being a call firefighter, his second home Elm Street Station, from 1977 to the early 90’s, earning the rank of captain and forming many lifelong friendships.

By the time Phil was 28 years old, he was a husband and father of three. The Jacques home, whether on Waterford St., Woodland Ave., or Wakefield Place, was filled with music, laughter and most importantly, love.  His greatest gift to his family was his love for all of them.

Phil found true love later in life and enjoyed some of his happiest and most fulfilling years. Whether traveling, reading, listening to music or watching MSNBC, he remained a sharp and curious thinker. But more than anything he was a proud husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and brother.

Phil leaves his wife of nearly five years, Tanya Jacques, of Gardner; his daughter, Shelley Stuart of Vero Beach, Florida; his son, Eric Jacques and his wife Diane of Billerica; and his son, Robert Jacques and his wife Natalie of Templeton. He also leaves his sister, Denise Babineau and her husband Steve of Phillipston. He leaves his grandchildren Alex Stuart of Los Angeles, CA, Ansley Nolasco and her husband Erwin of London, England, Ian Stuart of Vero Beach FL, Myles Jacques and his wife Ana of Templeton, Max Jacques of Templeton and Maddie, Colton and Kendall Jacques of Billerica as well as his great granddaughter Chloe of Templeton. He also leaves his former wife, Carol (Tikkanen) Jacques of Templeton, his sister-in-law Marie (Kelly) Jacques of Templeton, along with many nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws and dear friends.  He was predeceased by his brother, David Jacques, his sister, Joanne Morrissey and her husband John, his nephews, Daniel Jacques and Jonathan Landry, and his son-in-law, Alan Stuart.

The Jacques family would like to thank the nursing and care management staff at Heywood Hospital and the CCU and hospice teams at UMass Memorial HealthAlliance - Leominster Campus for their compassionate care in his final weeks. 

Funeral Services will be held Thursday, July 27, 2023, from the Boucher Funeral Home, Inc., 110 Nichols Street, Gardner, MA, with a Mass at 11:00 a.m. in Annunciation Parish at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church, 135 Nichols Street, Gardner, MA. Burial at Notre Dame Cemetery, West Street, Gardner, MA, will be held at a later date.

Calling Hours will be held Wednesday, July 26, 2023, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Gardner Museum, 28 Pearl St., Gardner, MA 01440 or to the Onsite Academy, PO Box 488, Westminster, MA 01473.  Please reference in memory of Philip W. Jacques.