Obituary of Jock Jeffery Phillips

WESTFIELD - Jock Jeffery Phillips, 63, of Westfield, New York, and Ft. McCoy, Florida, formerly of Marilla, NY passed away, Tuesday, November 27, 2012 at his home, surrounded by his loving family. Jock was born October 1, 1949 in Buffalo, New York, to Robert and Lorain (Kastner) Phillips. He graduated from Iroquois Central High School in 1968 and he attended Monroe Community and Genesee Community College. On August 22, 1970 he married the love of his life, Deborah Ann Lippert of Marilla, New York. Jock was retired from The NYS Department of Corrections after 25 years of serving at Attica, Wende, and Lakeview Shock Facilities. Jock and Debbie had also been the proprietors of Phillips Florist (Midtown Florists) in Marilla, NY from 1980-1989 when they moved to Westfield. A dedicated member and past President of the Barcelona, New York Harbor Commission for many years, Jock was proud and honored to be the current Harbor Master for Barcelona Harbor, serving in that capacity since 2002. He enjoyed discussing 'the one that got away', the history of the lighthouse, and local tourist information with all of the patrons and visitors. Jock was an avid sportsman, sharing his love for hunting and fishing with his family and dear friends. He was larger than life by those who loved him, and his legacy will live on within all of us. Jock is survived by his loving bride of 42 years, Deborah Ann (Lippert) Phillips, two daughters, Robyn (Eric) Dhali, Jennifer (Samuel "Kevin") Phillips Russo, and son, Jeffery (Jennifer) Phillips and his nine amazing grandchildren, Caleb and Rachel Dhali, Giovani, Sofia, Mariella and Aria Russo, Cassidy, Tristen and Kadence Phillips, and his brother Robert Franklin (Denise) Phillips, of East Otto, NY, his loyal companions Dakota and Brady, several nieces and nephews and an amazing group of friends, whom we refer to as family, and love so dearly. He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Lorain Phillips. A "Celebration of Life" gathering will be held at 4:00 pm, Saturday, December 8, 2012 at The Westfield Fireman's Exempt Hall, 75 Bourne Street, Westfield, New York 14787, in honor of Jock's request for no-fuss pomp and circumstance. A special thank you to The Cancer Treatment Center of America, Northeast, for the outstanding level of care, treating the person not the disease. Jock's fight was full of respect, constant hope, dignity, and Patient Empowered, under their care, and our family truly appreciated their efforts. Memorials may be made to Hunt of a Lifetime, www.huntofalifetime.org, or mail to: Hunt Of A Lifetime Foundation, P.O. Box 241, Harborcreek, Pa. 16421; and/or the RO Foundation, 212 Lakeshore Dr. W. Dunkirk, NY 14048, www.rofoundation.com and click on donation tab, follow instructions; and enter that it is for the Phillips memorial. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the MASON FUNERAL HOME, 37 Clinton St., Westfield, NY 14787. Log on to www.masonfuneral.com to send Jock's family a message of sympathy.