Stephen Francis Phillips

Stephen Francis Phillips, Jr., 61, of East Hartford, passed away peacefully on May 15, 2016 in Norwich. Born in Hartford, he was the son of the late Stephen F. and Christine (Moir) Phillips. Stephen dutifully served as a machinist for many years at Pratt & Whitney, but his most gratifying work came not only from helping his many friends in the area, but also the time he spent with his sister Lauren on the farm in southeastern Connecticut. As an animal lover in the true sense, Stephen cared for all living creatures that came across his path in life. He was a special kind of person with a generous spirit and a heart as big as the sky. He was also drawn to music and, as a talented pianist and musician, used the strokes of the keys to express all the joys and complexities of his gentle soul. Stephen will be truly missed by all who knew and loved him. Stephen is predeceased by his loving parents, Stephen and Christine, and his brother Bruce E. Phillips. He is survived by two loving sisters; Lauren Falade of Griswold, and Sharon Goslee and her husband Howard of Jacksonville, North Carolina, formerly of South Windsor; a sister-in-law Dorinda Phillips; and many beloved and adored uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces, and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday (May 21) at 9:30 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 673 Ellington Road, South Windsor. Everyone is asked to please go directly to the church. Burial will be in St. Catherine’s Cemetery in Broad Brook. Calling hours will be Friday from 4-7 p.m. at the D’Esopo-East Hartford Memorial Chapel, 30 Carter St., East Hartford. Memorial contributions in Stephen’s honor may be made to High Hopes Therapeutic Riding, Inc., 36 Town Woods Road, Old Lyme, CT 06371. For on-line expressions of sympathy to the family please visit www.desopo.com.