Obituary of Stanley R. Phillips

Stanley R Phillips--Buddy to most who knew him--passed away on October 26, 2021 from complications of dementia. He grew up in Fort Plain, NY on his family’s farm with his mother, Barbara Phillips and father, Stanley H Phillips with his six siblings. Those left missing him are his wife of 37 years, Sheryl Neal, his daughter, Arianna (Alex) Patsos, his three granddaughters, Laila, Yara and Marina, his siblings Beverly Delatorre, John, Helen Rivera, James, Debra Hdayed, June Phillips Habib, his thirteen nieces and nephews and two exchange daughters, Kathy and Kate. Life took him on many adventures; Buddy worked in construction for years, grew plants for fun, and traveled with his wife. He was an avid sailor and loved to be out on the water with the wind at his back. Almost any day could be made better with a trip to the lake or a putter in the garden. Around every corner is a story and something to laugh about. Buddy lived every day with the idea that even the worst circumstances could have some humor in them. Every day we live our lives surrounded by the stories that he wove around us. We remember how he would try and rig card games so that everyone would end up with the same score, worked slowly but surely to restore the gardens that he owned in Canajoharie and always said yes when people asked him for help. Buddy helped to save 66 Church St when he cofounded Canajoharie 2000 because he knew it was needed and he knew he could help. If there was something worth doing, it was worth going all in. Due to his interest in preserving the community buildings, we request that donations be directed to the Mohawk Valley Collective for the West Hill School. A celebration of life will be held for him at a later date.