1919-2010 - With sadness, but also with thanksgiving for a life well lived, the family of Gerald Eugene Phillips announce his home going on Wednesday, May 26, 2010. Born in Northampton, Gerald was the eldest son of the late Durrell and Jean (Miller) Phillips. A successful barber and businessman, Gerald served his community as a town councillor and subsequently as Mayor of Woodstock, NB and he also served as the Chairman of the Board for the Carleton County Memorial Hospital. As an active Christian layman, he served on various church boards, taught Sunday School and took his ordination as deacon of the Woodstock United Baptist Church very seriously. This calling, along with his active role in the Gideons, provided many opportunities for sharing his faith, which was important to him. He served as chairman of the regional and national Boards of the Canadian Baptist Overseas Mission Board for several terms and during those years visited missions in Africa. Gerald also served as a governor of Acadia Divinity College. He was President of the Convention of Atlantic Baptist Churches and in that role he was assisted by the Honourable Lieut.Gov. Bird in turning the sod for the new Kenneth E. Spencer Memorial Home, where he resided for the last years of his life. Gerald is survived by his wife, Edna (Crawford); son David, daughter-in-law Jean and grandsons Matthew (Misty) and Thomas (Amelie). Sister-in-law, Erma Phillips and several nieces and nephews also survive him. Edna's children, Anne Crawford (Michael Hall), Lindsay Crawford (Doris), Sara Palmater (Nelson), daughter-in-law, Ethel and Edna's grandchildren, Virginia and Rebecca Crawford and Jeremiah Palmater also mourn Gerald's passing. In addition to his parents, Gerald was predeceased by his first wife (and David's mother), Geraldine (Crommett) Phillips; his sister, Edith Richardson and brother-in-law, Ernest Richardson and brother, Ralph Phillips.
Visitation at Ferguson Knowles Funeral home, 1657 Mountain Road, Moncton (858-1995), Saturday, 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 pm. Funeral Service, Ferguson Knowles Funeral Home Chapel, Sunday, May 30, 2010 at 2:00 pm, Rev. Dr. Richard Jackson and Rev. Delbert Bannister officiating. Reception in the Funeral Home Reception Centre following the service. Interment, Woodstock Rural Cemetery. In Gerald's memory, for those who wish, memorials to the Gideons or to Crandall University would be appreciated. Online condolences at www.fergusonknowlesfh.com