Patrick John Phillips

Patrick John Phillips was a Resident of Moreno Valley. Patrick Phillips, husband, father and grandfather lost his life after a prolonged illness on January 9, 2012. He died of complications from a recent surgery. He was 77. A man of strong mid-western stock he was fond of golfing, watching sports and walking his dog near Lake Perris. Patrick John Phillips was born January 27, 1935 in Watseka, Illinois and was raised in the small farming town of Ashkum, Illinois. A natural athlete, Patrick graduated in 1952 from St. Pat's high school in Kankakee, and then attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign on a football scholarship. After earning his degree in business in 1956, he immediately fulfilled his duty by joining the Navy. As a communications officer he was stationed at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii and later at San Francisco Naval Communications Center. In 1968, while working at Outboard Marine Corporation, he earned his MBA from the University of Chicago.

He met United Airlines Stewardess Joanne Halligan, while stationed in San Francisco. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in April, 2011, with plans for an Alaskan cruise with the family.

His 22-year career in sales for Outboard Marine Corporation prepared him for the ownership of two small businesses, Custom Travel and Turf Tire Distributors. Patrick and Joanne worked together in business to put four children through college all earning their degrees. He retired in 2000 and he and his wife Joanne moved to Moreno Valley. An avid golfer, Pat was never happier than when playing golf on the Moreno Valley Golf Course with the "boys" on Tuesday mornings. His love the Cubs inspired the naming of his dog although, as a fan he was usually disappointed in their performance. As a long-time resident of Orange County, his Angels did win a World Series. Pat is survived by his wife of 50 years, Joanne, children Mary Pat Phillips, of Mountain View; Beth Ann Goodwill and her husband Thomas of Missoula, Montana; Jennifer Phillips of Tustin; and John Phillips, his wife Crecencia and their son Conor of Marina Del Rey. He is also survived by a brother, Jim Phillips of Whidbey Island, Washington.