Thomas Phillips

Thomas J. Phillips, Sr., 76 of Vero Beach FL, formerly of Port St. Lucie, FL and Chester, NY, passed away on February 11, 2016 at Indian River Medical Center. Tom was born May 13, 1939 in Bronx, NY to Sadie Jordan and Thomas F. Phillips. He attended St. Helena High School, went on to Iona College, graduating in 1961 with a Bachelor's Degree in Social Studies, and then obtained a Master's Degree in Education from Hunter College in 1963. Employed by The City of New York at The Board of Education, he began his teaching career in 1962 at Alexander Burger IS 139 in the South Bronx, NY, and taught at this school for 36 years, until his retirement in 1998. Tom was also employed on a part time basis as a Police Officer for the Town and Village of Chester, he worked for the U.S. Customs Service at JFK Airport, and was a Town Councilman for the Town of Chester. Tom volunteered with the Chester Ambulance Corp, serving as President for many years. He also volunteered with the Port St. Lucie Police Department on their neighborhood watch team, and coached for Chester Little League. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and The Ancient Order of Hibernians, a Eucharistic Minister and Lecture for St. Columba Roman Catholic Church, and also volunteered for the Churches Bazaar Committee and Parish Council. Tom was an avid baseball and football fan, with a special interest in Notre Dame Football, and Boston Red Sox and NY Mets Baseball. His favorite pastime was going on cruises with his spouse and he spent his 50th Wedding Anniversary at sea on a cruise with his immediate family. Tom also loved and enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren. Tom is survived by his beloved wife of 53 years, Ann P. Phillips; sons: Tommy (Tracy) of Nazareth, PA, Mickey of Chester, NY, Kevin "Fuzz" (Rosemary) of Salisbury Mills, NY; six grandchildren: Michael, Joey, Patrick, Lauren, Lucas and Daniel; sister, Margaret M. (George) Grumbach of Chester, NY; brother, Michael P. Phillips of Chester, NY, and Sr. Margaret M. O'Doherty, OP; sister-in-law, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. A service will be held on Saturday, May 21, 2016 between the hours of 10:15 AM and 11:00 AM at St. Columba R.C. Church. A Memorial Mass will be Celebrated at 11 AM at St. Columba R.C. Church, located at 29 High Street, Chester, New York 10918. Interment will immediately follow at St. Columba Cemetery. The family asks that all of those in attendance come in casual dress. A special thank you to goes to the Indian River County Fire Rescue, and the Doctors, Surgeons, and Nurse's from the SICU at Indian River Medical Center. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in the name of Thomas J. Phillips, Sr, to the Disabled American Veterans Organization at https://www.dav.org Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Thomas F. Flynn and the staff of Flynn Funeral & Cremation Memorial Centers, Inc., 3 Hudson Street, Chester, New York 10918. For directions to the funeral home, St. Columba R.C. Church or to offer an online memorial please visit www.flynnfh.com