John William Phalen

On the 9th of April, 1945, John Phalen was born to an unknown woman and surrendered to an orphanage in West Hartford Connecticut. Not long after he was fortunate enough to be adopted into the loving home of William and Harriet Phalen at the behest of their daughter Marion. Sadly both parents fell ill quite early in his life, first William and years later Harriet, leaving John orphaned again. Marion, his devoted sister, stepped in and took on the role of mother, raising her brother as if he were her son, forging a life long bond between the two.

After finishing school John joined the Navy where he became a trained diver and a star football player. He served during the Vietnam War and was deployed on an aircraft carrier off the coast of Australia. John loved his country and his service was one of his proudest accomplishments.

After the service John would meet his future wife Elaine to whom he was faithfully married to for over forty years. They set up a happy home in Southington, Connecticut and in 1976 they gave birth to their only child, a son they named Garrett. Although Elaine and John would separate late in life, they would stay close friends and she would remain the love of his life.

John’s quick wit, warm laugh and charming personality made him a natural salesman. Many attributed this sense of humor to his late mother Harriet. His charisma and genuine love of people won him many friends and clients. He began his career at Miles Laboratory, where he met Elaine and later worked in the screw and fastener industry as a sales representative. John’s sales success would see him go on to start his own sales firm, servicing many industries all along the East Coast.

John loved fishing and eventually captained his own boat. He was a life long Yankees fan, a regular golfer, and a lover of sports in general. He loved cigars and talk radio, which kept him entertained on his many long drives up and down the East Coast visiting clients. He also loved animals, being every pet’s favorite lap and always keeping a bird-feeder, which he loved watching in the early mornings as he drank his coffee. He also was a religious man, a devout Catholic who served as a Eucharistic Minister, offering service to the home bound, and even being a men’s group leader.

While John’s presence will be deeply missed, his legacy of kindness, laughter, and loyalty will continue to live on in the hearts of his family and friends. He touched many lives, and his memory will forever be cherished.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Friday February 7, 2025 at 11AM at The Church of St. Dominic 1050 Flanders Rd. Southington. The family will receive visitors prior to Mass at the DellaVecchia Funeral Home 211 N. Main St. Southington from 8:30AM-10:15AM. Burial with military honors will take place at St. Thomas Cemetery, Southington. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to a charity of one’s choice. The DellaVecchia Funeral Home of Southington has been entrusted with arrangements. To leave a message of remembrance for the family please visit: www.DellaVecchiaSouthington.com