John Alexander Oliphant

A Celebration of Life for John A. Oliphant will be held this Thursday, July 9, at 10:30am, at Dee Funeral Home, 27 Bedford Street, Concord, MA. Graveside Burial to follow at 12:00 pm in Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, Concord.  

John Alexander Oliphant passed away peacefully in the arms of the people he loved most on Monday August, 25th 2025 in his Eagle, Colorado home. Everyone is unique and so was John Alexander Oliphant. Instead of worrying about material things and what the “Jones” were amassing, John, aka Monty Brack, Bampa, Johnny O., Big D., or Dad, John opted to focus on more important things. Throughout his life he focused on love, teaching, inspiring others to be their best selves, having passion for life, doing good for those in need, having compassion for friends, and most of all caring for his family with devotion.

John was born in Boston on June 27th, 1944 to Albert (Guy) Garfield) Oliphant and Isadora (Mitzi, Nanny) Michelini. He was educated from grade school through high school in the Brookline School District, graduating from Brookline High School. He went on to study and receive a degree from Boston University. He used his knowledge, degree, and love of writing to publish works in literary magazines and spent some time writing about the music scene in and around Boston. He loved music and was part of the Boston music scene back in the early days of rock n roll. His favorite band was the Yardbirds. He saw them play, when Jimmy Page was in the band at the Orpheum Theater Boston, with 150 people. He said it was the best show he ever attended. While writing for musical publications John interviewed many amazing and up and coming musical talents. One interview he remembers fondly was with Linda Ronstadt before she was a star. John had such an easy personable interview style, that Ms. Ronstadt shared a very interesting and intimate fact about herself that he didn’t write in any articles and shared with few. He had such a comforting demeanor and way about himself, it was easy to open up and share thoughts and converse about pretty much any topic on your mind with him.

In New Mexico, John met Lynn Fay Frank, daughter of Robert Frank and Evelyn Wahl; sister of Richard Frank. They married and had two children Jessica Lynne Oliphant and Alexander Oliphant. He was left a single parent with two infant children when Lynn tragically passed away in 1974. Through sometimes difficult times, as a single parent, he persevered and was as devoted and loving as any parent has ever been.

After living mainly in Tesuque, New Mexico; Springfield, Massachusetts; and Brookline, Massachusetts, John moved to Concord, Massachusetts. While living there he married his long-term love, Patricia (Sass) Alexander. Everyone settled into life in the Boston suburbs in an older Victorian home built in the 1880’s. Sass was a wonderful and caring wife for the decades they were married. He loved her dearly and she loved him just as much. With Alexander and Jessica by their sides they lived a humble life filled with music, love and goodness. He was a loving uncle to all his nieces and nephews making lasting and tight bonds with them. He continued to love, honor, and share his time with his many grandchildren and grand-nieces and grand-nephews as well.

As the years turned to decades, John worked hard to become a musical guru, mensch, and impressive writer. In the late 70’s John, known musically as Monty Brack, mentored family members in founding a “family” band – The Chlordanes. After the formation of this tight loving band, The Chlordanes stayed together and continued making music into the 80’s. The band continued to get together and play through the decades to come. The Chlordanes graced many personal family weddings, Christmas parties, and more for decades to come. These jam sessions and formal rock n roll gigs are fondly remembered by all who attended.

After Jessica and then Alex settled within Vail Valley, Colorado, being the devoted father he had always been, John and Sass decided to follow them, moving to Eagle Colorado in 2010. They moved to be closer to their children; Alex and Jessica and their grandchildren; Cole, Jenna, Addison and Nathan who was born in 2013. He resided in Eagle with Sass until his passing. He was loved by all in his family. He was loved by many who, though not related, were loved as family. He treated everyone with kindness, grace and dignity. His wit and humor will be carried on in the hearts, words, and actions of many.

John and Sass loved to travel and did it well. They took cruises across the Caribbean, through the British Isles, up to Alaska, and down to Mexico. Some of their fondest trips were to Italy where the gracious Michelini family relatives treated them with grace and love. They hosted them in their homes, wined, dined and shared their personal places with them. He always spoke fondly of the hospitality and love they continued to show for distant relatives. Sass and John reciprocated by hosting visitors from Italy at their homes whenever someone came to the U.S. to visit.

John was always a diehard Boston Red Sox fan. Growing up in Brookline he could hear the stadium’s roar when the Sox hit a home run or won a game. As a youth in the 1940’s he walked to games with his mother and his siblings. On Ladies Night he fondly remembers it for 25¢ for children and 50¢ for his mom. He always wished to see the Red Sox win a Championship. He watched many great Red Sox eras from the Jackie Jenson Era to the quirky Wade Boggs Era that lasted over a decade. John especially enjoyed the years with Roger Clemens pitching and then marveled at pitching of Pedro Martinez for years as well. He had his favorite players over the years for sure. He loved screaming “Yaz!” and “Dewey!” from the first baseline seating area he coveted. In 2004 John finally got his wish with the “bunch of idiots,” team (as quoted by Johnny Damon). The Red Sox lost the first three games including the disastrous 19-8 defeat. It looked like another year of sad frustration for the Red Sox. For over 50 years Johnny O., had always hoped for and was optimistic that the Sox would pull through and win another World Series and end their 80 plus year drought. As luck would have it, John and Sass were helping Alex move from Portland, OR to the Vail Valley during the American League Championship Series. They endured the crushing consecutive losses to the New York Yankees together. The three even watched part of the game three loss debacle in a diner in a rural diner someplace along Interstate 80.

After arriving at Jessica’s in Edwards, Colorado John got to watch the rest of ALCS games with his wife, son,daughter, and son-in-law. He got to watch the Red Sox go on to win the last four games straight clinching the ALCS. A magical sports feat never accomplished by any baseball team before or since. Sass, Jess, Alex,and Craig got to see “dad” cry with joy and satisfaction at this miraculous once in lifetime feat and the subsequent World Series win. So fortuitous was fate. If the Red Sox were going to break “The Curse of the Bambino,” why not do it when a superfan could share the moment, two thousand miles from home, with the people he cared for the most? What a special moment for us all jumping up and down, hugging, and crying together in elation. As everyone knows the Sox went on to sweep the St. Louis Cardinals in four games. What a great time to share with a true Red Sox believer. Like the Red Sox teams throughout the years, John experienced drastically low lows and hard times. But, like the Red Sox, he “played” on, never giving up in his endeavors throughout his life. He definitely “coached and played for a winning team.”

He kept going no matter the hardship. He experienced amazing joy with friends and loved ones to the end. He was resilient, funny and caring through it all. He won his own World Series in his own way in life. His light hearted banter and endless love for so many will be missed for a long, long time by those fortunate enough to have known him.

Our dad, Big D, was so much to so many. We were extremely lucky and are incredibly grateful for him to be our parent. We are incredibly grateful for the sacrifices he made for us and our families. He taught us so much in our lives. He shaped who we are today.

We all have so many wonderful memories. He taught us to cook, though maybe not as well as he did, and cooked like a chef with much mastery for us every day. Many will remember that 6pm was dinner time and we better not be late! He showed us how to love deeply and not to suffer fools. He loved to ski and taught us to love the sport. He even brought and taught some of our cousins on trips to Nashoba Valley Ski Area, and various other ski destinations throughout New England. We have fond memories of skiing with him. The sport brought us all together again here in Colorado in the shadows of Vail and Beaver Creek ski areas.

We will remember his hippyish ways, his weaving with purpose on his six foot loom, his craftsfair booths where he sold his weavings, his love of the Red Sox, his ability to dance freely with purpose, his rock n roll, his uncanny ability to ad lib the most amazing lyrics to songs like the unforgettable “Smokey Pie” on the spot, and so much more. Be at peace Big D. Love you so much now and forever.

Mr. John Oliphant’s memory lives on with his wife: Patricia (Sass) Oliphant, his children: his daughter Jessica Kisker, her spouse Craig Wilder Kisker, his son Alex Oliphant, and his spouse Rachelle Maillet Oliphant. His four grandchildren: Cole Kisker, Jenna Kisker, Addison Kisker, and Nathan Oliphant. His siblings: David Oliphant and Judy Gilman. His nieces and nephews; Gary Waleik, Beth George, Sharon Foster, Jeffrey Oliphant, Edward Gilman, David Gilman, and Alexander D. Oliphant. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Lynn Frank(d. 1974), His parents; Albert Guy Oliphant (d.1978) and Isadora Michelini (d.2002). His first wife Lynn’s parents; Robert Frank (d.2003) and Evelyn Frank (d.2018), His second wife’s parents; Robert Alexander Sr (d.1996), Patricia Novak (d.2000) His beloved pets D.O.G, Dudley, Cider, and Toonces (aka Shnoobies).

In Lieu of Flowers and as an expression of sympathy, John has asked that donations be made in his name to: Vail Valley Foundation Funds to Benefit: Shaw At Home, PO Box 1529, Vail CO 81658. This organization assists in crucial ways in difficult times. Shaw at Home was supportive of John and family in our time of need.

Goodbye and Rest in Peace friend, husband and father. “Ladies and Gentlemen, Monty Brack has left the building.”