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June 26, 2013
Services
Friends may visit the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne, on Saturday, June 29, 2013, from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Funeral Services will be held at the funeral home, Saturday at 3:00 p.m., immediately following the visiting hours.
Kenneth E. Phillips, “Kep” to all who knew him, died peacefully at home on Green Pond, Wednesday, June 26, 2013. His wife and son Christopher were at his side when he passed. Kep had just turned 69 years old.
Kep grew up in Millburn, NJ and graduated Millburn High School with the class of 1962. He attended Ohio Wesleyan and was a member of the lacrosse team. He later graduated with a Master’s Degree in Botany from the University of Rhode Island. Kep was a brother in the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity at Ohio Wesleyan and an outstanding student, earning him membership in Sigma Xi and Phi Kappa Phi. Immediately upon graduation, he began working as a professor at the University of Rhode Island, teaching marine biology.
In 1970, Kep moved back to NJ where he joined the family business; Harrison Supply Co. located in Harrison, NJ. Kep oversaw the growth of The Phillips Companies into a conglomerate of eight suppliers: Clinton Block in Clinton, NJ, Harrison Supply Co. in Harrison, Sussex Block & Supply in Sparta, F.F. Phillips in Edison and New Brunswick, and Phillips Concrete with three locations in Bridgewater, Hillsborough, and Upper Black Eddy, PA. Kep was active with the AGC; Association of General Contractors, the UTCA; Utility Transportation Contractors Association, had been on the board of directors of the Gibraltar Savings Bank, and several other trade organizations. As hard as Kep worked, he enjoyed playing even harder!
Kep’s interests were varied and his hobbies were vast. He had completely restored several classic MG cars and was an active member of the New England MGT Register. He had participated in many MG rallies including a cross-country road trip and a ride up the Alaska Highway with his beloved wife Louie by his side in their MG. He was also a member of the VSCCA; Vintage Sports Car Club of America where he often raced his classic MG’s. He had so much fun with his cars that his smile nearly became permanent. Kep was also an avid outdoorsman, bird hunter, and golfer. He was a proud member of the Fin, Fur, and Feather Shooting Club, the Mendham Valley Gun Club, Bras Coupé Fishing Club in Canada, and the Rockaway River Country Club. He played guitar, loved to cook (and eat!), and made his own beer and wine. His wine label; “Gallows” (featuring a hangman’s noose), a play on words to the slightly more popular ‘Gallo’ brand, and the painfully-honest slogan on the label read; “It’s not that bad.” He was an avid reader, usually found with a Kindle in his hands or nearby, and had devoured countless books throughout his life. He had recently become interested in Genealogy, tracing his families roots right back to the Mayflower voyage.
Kep’s love for his wife and family was clearly the guiding light of his life. Second however, was his love of Green Pond. His family had been visiting Green Pond during the summers since 1926. Kep spent his summers there as a young boy and purchased his first summer home on Green Pond in the 1970’s, eventually living there year round. He was a member of the Green Pond Yacht Club and passionate about the mission of the Green Pond Environmental Foundation who’s mission is to protect the pristine lake and surrounding lands. Green Pond was more than just his home – it was a part of his soul.
It was at Green Pond during the summer of 1970 that Kep met his wife, Elizabeth, or “Louie” as everyone knows her. They were set up on a blind date, joining some friends for a moonlight sail on Green Pond. Louie came prepared with a bottle of Scotch and Kep was smitten on that first date! They married April 5, 1972 and never looked back. Their marriage was an adventure of the greatest magnitude; a “world of happiness.” They traveled all over the world, visiting exotic destinations and enjoying countless unique experiences. They loved to socialize and hosted many parties and memorable events over the years. Their love for each other was evident in all that they did. The fun they’ve enjoyed together, and shared with so many others, coupled with Kep’s unique sense of humor and vivacious personality, will insure his legacy through all those fortunate enough to call him ‘friend.’ He was a man of character, integrity, and genuine intentions. He will be missed dearly by a great many.
Kep is survived by his beloved wife of forty one years; Elizabeth “Louie” Phillips, four children; Christopher and his wife Erica of Green Pond, Darcy Asché and her husband Thomas of North Caldwell, Deborah Thomas and her husband Stephen of Rockaway, and Ward Chesnut and his wife Ruth of Lake Tahoe, California, seven grandchildren; Jeffrey and Carly Thomas of Rockaway, Jesse and Wesson Asché of North Caldwell, Lake Phillips of Green Pond, and Lennon and Jake Alcock of Green Pond.
Donations in Kep's memory, if friends so wish, would be greatly appreciated. Please consider the Green Pond Environmental Foundation, P.O. Box 648, Newfoundland, NJ 07435; or the Green Pond Volunteer First Aid Squad, P.O. Box 251, Newfoundland, NJ 07435
If you would like to send a private condolence directly to the family use this condolence section.
Friends may visit the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne, on Saturday, June 29, 2013, from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Funeral Services will be held at the funeral home, Saturday at 3:00 p.m., immediately following the visiting hours.
June 26, 2013
Services
Friends may visit the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne, on Saturday, June 29, 2013, from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Funeral Services will be held at the funeral home, Saturday at 3:00 p.m., immediately following the visiting hours.
Kenneth E. Phillips, “Kep” to all who knew him, died peacefully at home on Green Pond, Wednesday, June 26, 2013. His wife and son Christopher were at his side when he passed. Kep had just turned 69 years old.
Kep grew up in Millburn, NJ and graduated Millburn High School with the class of 1962. He attended Ohio Wesleyan and was a member of the lacrosse team. He later graduated with a Master’s Degree in Botany from the University of Rhode Island. Kep was a brother in the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity at Ohio Wesleyan and an outstanding student, earning him membership in Sigma Xi and Phi Kappa Phi. Immediately upon graduation, he began working as a professor at the University of Rhode Island, teaching marine biology.
In 1970, Kep moved back to NJ where he joined the family business; Harrison Supply Co. located in Harrison, NJ. Kep oversaw the growth of The Phillips Companies into a conglomerate of eight suppliers: Clinton Block in Clinton, NJ, Harrison Supply Co. in Harrison, Sussex Block & Supply in Sparta, F.F. Phillips in Edison and New Brunswick, and Phillips Concrete with three locations in Bridgewater, Hillsborough, and Upper Black Eddy, PA. Kep was active with the AGC; Association of General Contractors, the UTCA; Utility Transportation Contractors Association, had been on the board of directors of the Gibraltar Savings Bank, and several other trade organizations. As hard as Kep worked, he enjoyed playing even harder!
Kep’s interests were varied and his hobbies were vast. He had completely restored several classic MG cars and was an active member of the New England MGT Register. He had participated in many MG rallies including a cross-country road trip and a ride up the Alaska Highway with his beloved wife Louie by his side in their MG. He was also a member of the VSCCA; Vintage Sports Car Club of America where he often raced his classic MG’s. He had so much fun with his cars that his smile nearly became permanent. Kep was also an avid outdoorsman, bird hunter, and golfer. He was a proud member of the Fin, Fur, and Feather Shooting Club, the Mendham Valley Gun Club, Bras Coupé Fishing Club in Canada, and the Rockaway River Country Club. He played guitar, loved to cook (and eat!), and made his own beer and wine. His wine label; “Gallows” (featuring a hangman’s noose), a play on words to the slightly more popular ‘Gallo’ brand, and the painfully-honest slogan on the label read; “It’s not that bad.” He was an avid reader, usually found with a Kindle in his hands or nearby, and had devoured countless books throughout his life. He had recently become interested in Genealogy, tracing his families roots right back to the Mayflower voyage.
Kep’s love for his wife and family was clearly the guiding light of his life. Second however, was his love of Green Pond. His family had been visiting Green Pond during the summers since 1926. Kep spent his summers there as a young boy and purchased his first summer home on Green Pond in the 1970’s, eventually living there year round. He was a member of the Green Pond Yacht Club and passionate about the mission of the Green Pond Environmental Foundation who’s mission is to protect the pristine lake and surrounding lands. Green Pond was more than just his home – it was a part of his soul.
It was at Green Pond during the summer of 1970 that Kep met his wife, Elizabeth, or “Louie” as everyone knows her. They were set up on a blind date, joining some friends for a moonlight sail on Green Pond. Louie came prepared with a bottle of Scotch and Kep was smitten on that first date! They married April 5, 1972 and never looked back. Their marriage was an adventure of the greatest magnitude; a “world of happiness.” They traveled all over the world, visiting exotic destinations and enjoying countless unique experiences. They loved to socialize and hosted many parties and memorable events over the years. Their love for each other was evident in all that they did. The fun they’ve enjoyed together, and shared with so many others, coupled with Kep’s unique sense of humor and vivacious personality, will insure his legacy through all those fortunate enough to call him ‘friend.’ He was a man of character, integrity, and genuine intentions. He will be missed dearly by a great many.
Kep is survived by his beloved wife of forty one years; Elizabeth “Louie” Phillips, four children; Christopher and his wife Erica of Green Pond, Darcy Asché and her husband Thomas of North Caldwell, Deborah Thomas and her husband Stephen of Rockaway, and Ward Chesnut and his wife Ruth of Lake Tahoe, California, seven grandchildren; Jeffrey and Carly Thomas of Rockaway, Jesse and Wesson Asché of North Caldwell, Lake Phillips of Green Pond, and Lennon and Jake Alcock of Green Pond.
Donations in Kep's memory, if friends so wish, would be greatly appreciated. Please consider the Green Pond Environmental Foundation, P.O. Box 648, Newfoundland, NJ 07435; or the Green Pond Volunteer First Aid Squad, P.O. Box 251, Newfoundland, NJ 07435
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