John A. Phillips Jr.

POLAND – A private Mass of Christian Burial was held Feb. 11, 2015, at Our Lady of Sorrows Parish, St. Mathias Church, for John A. Phillips Jr. who passed away Saturday, Feb. 7, 2015.
John was born Dec. 5, 1918, in New Castle, Pa., the son of John A. Sr. and Frances (Koledjeski) Phillips.
John spent most of his working years as a rollsetter with Youngstown Sheet & Tube, retiring in 1981. Throughout his retirement, John and wife LaVerne volunteered for several community service organizations, including Goodwill, the Men’s Garden Club, and his church.
John faithfully served our country with the U.S. Army in North Africa during World War II. As an MP, he spent most of his time guarding Italian and German prisoners, many of whom he befriended, as he realized they were not much different from him and his fellow soldiers. Later in life he served as Post Commander of VFW No. 3538 in Struthers.
His wife, LaVerne (Hraczo) Phillips, whom he married July 26, 1941, passed away in 1999. They had a happy life together and were proud of the family they raised. Their home served as the family’s meeting place every Sunday, filled with noise, food, and family fun.
Besides his family, John enjoyed gardening, sports and travel. In his youth, his baseball skills brought some interest from major league scouts, and he was a great coach and teacher, fueling his kids’ interest in sports. He helped his sons explore the outdoors and learn about good deeds and the golden rule through Boy Scouting as their Scout Master for several years.
John will be remembered lovingly by his two sons, John (Marilyn) Phillips of Boardman and Tom (Deborah) Phillips of Canfield; eight grandchildren, Jennifer Donaldson, Richard (Anais) Donaldson, Patrick and Mary Frances Donaldson, John R. Phillips, Elizabeth Jakimtschuk, Sarah (Brad) Zabel, and Michael (Molly) Phillips; and five great-grandchildren, Emma Jakimtschuk, Remington Phillips, Anna and Luke Zabel, and Samuel James Donaldson Fabregas.
Besides his wife and parents, John was preceded in death by his daughter, Sylvia Donaldson; son-in-law James Donaldson; and three brothers, Anthony, Walter, and Alex Phillips.
After a private family service, John was laid to rest at Lake Park Cemetery, where his service to our country was further recognized with full military honors provided by the great men of VFW Post No. 9571 of Ellsworth.
The Rossi Brothers & Lellio Funeral Home, 4442 South Ave. in Boardman, has been bestowed the honor of handling the funeral arrangements for John.
The family respectfully requests any contributions be made in John’s name to the Hospice House, 9803 Sharrott Road, Poland, OH 44514.
Family and friends may visit the Book of Memories at www.rossifunerals.com to view this tribute and send condolences to John’s family.

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