John F. Phelps

Mr. John Fitzgerald Phelps, a life-long resident of Andover, Connecticut passed away peacefully September 24, 2016 after a period of declining health. John was born to his parents, Lewis and Helen Phelps, January 31, 1919 in Andover. He attended Windham High School and earned a business degree from Morse College in Manchester, Connecticut. He married his high school sweetheart, Ruth Taylor, in 1941 and resided 75 years with her in Andover where they raised six children. He was employed as a business systems analyst by Pratt and Whitney Aircraft for over 45 years, starting during World War II. He also served in the US Navy at the end of the war. John was very involved in town activities and organizations throughout his life. He was a founding member of the Andover Volunteer Fire Department and the Andover Sportsman?s Club. He played on the successful town baseball team against surrounding towns during the 1940?s and 1950?s. He chaired the building committee when the elementary school was significantly expanded in the 1970?s. He was a Justice of the Peace, Fire Commissioner and member of the town finance committee for many years. He also served until very recently on the boards of Hop River Homes senior housing and the Townsend Road Cemetery. He was a past master of the Wooster chapter of Masonic Lodge in Colchester and was past president of the Hartford chapter of the National Association of Accountants. He was also a member of the Descendants of the Founders of Ancient Windsor (Connecticut). John?s interests included traveling the US and abroad with Ruth, visiting family members, summer vacations on Cape Cod, small aircraft flying lessons, Harley-Davidson motorcycles, NASCAR, taking family members to Shady Glen in Manchester and chatting with others about many shared topics of interest. John was pre-deceased by his parents, his siblings Charles and Helen and his wife Ruth. He is survived by his six children: Sandra Czuchry and her husband Andrew of Gray, TN; Roger Phelps and his wife Cheri, of Tucson AZ; Charlotte Wright and her husband Jonathan of Concord MA; David Phelps and his wife Sara of Merrimack NH; Jonathan Phelps and his wife Genina of Easton, MA; and Deborah Pettinelli and her husband Darryl of Scituate, MA. He is also survived by 15 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren and many beloved nieces and nephews. Calling hours will be Friday, October 7, 2016 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at Potter Funeral Home, 456 Jackson Street (Rte. 195) Willimantic, CT 06226. A Funeral Service and committal will take place at 11:00 AM on Saturday, October 8, 2016 at St. Peter?s Episcopal Church, 30 Church Street, Hebron, Connecticut. A reception will follow in the church?s Phelps Hall. Memorial gifts may be made, in John?s memory, to the Andover Volunteer Fire Department, 11 School Rd, Andover, CT 06232.Charitable donations may be made to:Andover Volunteer Fire Department11 School Rd., Andover CT 06232