In Memoriam: Albert V. Phillips

From Glastonbury Funeral Home.

Albert V. Phillips, 84, of Glastonbury, the son of Wendell and Stella Phillips passed away November 10, 2015 at Hartford Hospital with his caring family members at his side as he slipped away to a better place.

He leaves behind Susan Pratt Phillips his beloved wife and soul mate for the past 38 wonderful years. He also leaves 7 children along with their families, Albert Jr. of Florida and his children Melissa Everett, Albee, Courtney, Stephan, and Jimmy Phillips; Mildred Phillips of California and son David Phillips; Stephan Phillips of San Francisco and his children Teresa Sal, Kelly, and Jax Phillips; Karl Phillips (Kathleen) of Leesburg, VA and children Sean and Ryan Phillips; Perry Phillips (Jill) of Mansfield CT and children Eric and Elizabeth Phillips; son, Scott Soule (Dydee) of Milford, Ct. and children Tyler and Dylan Soule; and daughter Karen Soule of East Hartford, Ct. and children Kaitlyn and Kyle Doucette. He also leaves 6 great grandchildren along with his former wife Nancy Phillips of Leesburg, Virginia.

He is predeceased by his infant daughter Teresa and son Neil Phillips and his 4 siblings of which he was the last.

His accomplishments are many and varied. He entered into the Air Force to fight in the Korean War after graduating from Stockton High School in Stockton, California in 1948 and then returned to graduate from Northrop Institute of Technology as an aeronautical engineer.

He worked on the space program involving the command module in California and then on the lunar landing vehicle in Long Island, New York. After the space program was cancelled, he pursued computer science at the New York Institute of Technology. He then relocated to Connecticut to work at Pratt & Whitney Aircraft in their data processing department. When he left Pratt, he became an independent consultant for numerous companies installing and customizing software. His wife Susan joined him in this effort and they travelled to such places as San Francisco, the Greater Boston area, Atlanta, Kansas City, and Baltimore as a team.

He settled in Glastonbury where he has been an active member of the community for the past 39 years involved in Republican politics and a charter member and past president of the Glastonbury Kiwanis Club until his latest illness.

He was particularly proud of his work as chairman of the Safety Committee, setting up the Key Club at Glastonbury High School and his valiant effort to “Axe the Tax” campaign but to no avail. He has also of late been involved with the American Legion and the Glastonbury Chamber of Commerce.

His greatest love was travelling, not only for working but also for pleasure. Just this past year he traveled to Aruba, Leesburg, Virginia, Myrtle Beach, Hilton Head, and Smuggler’s Notch in Vermont. Many of his trips involved his grandchildren when he took part in their accomplishments such as traveling to Ohio, Michigan, and Virginia, to participate in graduations or to observe them in school plays.

He also enjoyed taking some grandchildren on many of his trips. His only regret was that he did not step foot on the continent of Antarctica. He and Sue visited numerous places on all of the other continents such as England, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Prague, Australia, New Zealand, the Canary Islands, Spain, Morocco, Bali, Singapore, Japan, and Canada. He especially loved Aruba where he has been visiting for the past 21 years. He considered it his second home and started another endeavor renting out timeshare to many customers so they could enjoy what he loved so much.

There will be calling hours at the Glastonbury Funeral Home at 450 New London Turnpike, Glastonbury, from 4 to 7 P.M. on Sunday November 15, with a Celebration of Life Service on Monday, November 16, at 11 A.M. at the First Church of Christ Congregational 2183 Main St., Glastonbury. Burial will be at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers donations in Al’s name can be made to the Glastonbury Kiwanis at PO Box 868, Glastonbury, CT 06033-0868.