Bernard L. Phillips, 89, of Southborough, MA, and formerly Norwood, MA, died peacefully in his sleep on Friday, Nov. 4, 2011.
Born May 20, 1922 in South Plainfield, NJ, he was the son of the late Frank and Eva (Labno) Phillips. He was a graduate of the Newark College of Engineering and Northeastern University.
Bernie enjoyed a variety of interests, including mineral collecting, astronomy, metal detecting, panning for gold, chess, ballroom dancing, and amateur radio. Ever the optimistic treasure-hunter, he regaled his children and grandchildren with tales of pirates and buried gold. Bernie served in the Philippines during World War II as an instructor in the 14th Anti-Aircraft Division, earning several honors including the US Army Commendation Medal. He was an electrical engineer and for many years developed power transmission and missile guidance technologies. Bernie also held a number of patents.
Bernie was the husband of Mary Ann (Kling) Phillips of Southborough, for 56 years; the father of Janie Schwab and her husband James of Glenmont, NY; Mark Phillips and his wife Sherry of Wayland; Teresa Katuska and her husband Charles; Stephen Phillips and his wife Laurie all of Southborough; Robert Phillips and his wife Kathleen of Acton; Paul Phillips and his wife Joan of Westborough; Christopher Phillips and his wife Diane of Walpole; Michael Phillips and his wife Elizabeth Dougherty of Northborough; and Anne Marie Phillips and her husband Charles Heinle of Montgomery, NJ; he was the grandfather of many grandchildren and great-grandchildren who were always in his thoughts. He is predeceased by his youngest son Andrew, who passed awy in 2003.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday, November. 7, 2011, at the Church of St. Anne, 20 Boston Road, Southborough, MA. Interment will be private.
The Phillips Family would like to invite friends and family to a gather at Steve and Laurie’s home in Southborough on Sunday, November 6th from 2 PM to 5 PM. If you need directions please call the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Friends of Nickerson Park, PO Box 964, Brewster MA 02631.
(Obituary courtesy of Morris Funeral Home)
