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Richie Phillips Obituary
Phillips' death was reported by The Philadelphia Inquirer, which said he died Friday of cardiac arrest at his second home in Cape May, N.J. His death was confirmed by the D'Anjolell Memorial Home in Broomall, where a viewing is scheduled Thursday.
Phillips represented NBA referees in the 1970s and '80s and led MLB umps from 1978 until 1999, when a negotiating tactic of mass resignations backfired. That led umpires to abandon Phillips' Major League Umpires Association and form a new union, the World Umpires Association.
Nonetheless, umpires made tremendous gains under Phillips. When he became their negotiator in 1978, rookie umpires made $17,500. By 2000, they earned at least $95,000.
Copyright © 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
27 Entries
Lisa Giannetto
October 25, 2013
Ellen
Lisa giannetto here
I just see this and send my best
I hope to see you soon
My best to you and dear Richie whom I remember well and had the honor of taking care of him
We are in San Francisco now and hope to see you if you visit SF
Lisa
pca--
June 25, 2013
I met Richie at Pilot when he came to our office for a visit. He treated everyone like they were a part of his family. I will never forget his graciousness and kindness toward everyone.
David & Lisa Ronca
June 18, 2013
Our sincere condolences to the Phillips family.
How you can show support
Bill Keyser
June 10, 2013
So sorry to hear of Richie's passing. he had a tough go of it over the past years and now is at peace and I hope you can also find peace in the good memories
June 8, 2013
Ellen & Family,
Just found out today of Ritchie's passing. My deepest sympathy & I know what a wonderful family you are & my prayers are with you all.
Edna Cowen
Palm Beach, Fla.
June 6, 2013
Dear Ellen and family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with Ellen & family.
We will remember how fun & personable Richie was.
Peter & Donna D'Innocenzo
Al Clark
June 6, 2013
Dear Ellen, Stephanie, Connie Ann, Tony and Richie Jr....Please accept my most heartfelt sympathy on the passing of Richie. I, and other umpires always will and should forever be in his debt for what he accomplished for us as General Council for our Major League Umpires' Association. Richie brought our generation of MLB Umpires from the dark ages with compensation and respect to being an intregal part of the game then and NOW. With Richie's leadership and unyielding support for us all, we accomplished what could only be thought of as Fantasy Land numbers from MLB Umpires before the mid and late 1970's. Richie, your battles were legendary and your wins were as big as a Bear...Rest in Peace
Peg McCluskey
June 6, 2013
Ellen, Richard, Stephanie, Connie and the Pilot Family: My heart goes out to you in this time of sadness. Richie was a wonderful man. May you find comfort in the thought that Richie is embraced in the arms of the Lord now...perfect, at peace, and trying to find a better way to organize Heaven! Love, Peg(Melmark)
Ron O'Clair
June 6, 2013
Met Richie through business with Pilot Air and he was always taking care of the clients. He was an admirable figure to all who got to meet him, even if only once.
June 5, 2013
Dear Richie & Family:
Our deepest condolences.
David Craig, Nancy Bell, and Charlie
Bob Opalka
June 5, 2013
Dear Ellen, Connie Ann, Stephanie and Richard, you are in my thoughts. I am so sorry for your loss. I always think fondly of Richie.
Katie Linso
June 5, 2013
Mrs. Phillips, Connie, Stephanie, Richie and Tony: I was so sorry to hear about Mr. Phillips. I have many fond memories of him from my childhood in Paoli, and especially at the Shore. Body surfing - he was the best. And lots of laughs and great times at your house. I will remember him fondly. Thinking of you all,
Love, Katie Keel Linso
J.A
June 5, 2013
May the "God of All Comfort" be with you.-2Cor.1:3
Lewis Brandolini
June 4, 2013
To Ellen, Richie, Connie, & Stephanie; your Dad was one in a million. No one could keep him down. I am so very sorry to just find out, I have thought of him many, many times and all the great times we all had at Ocean City, pizza Richie made himself at home. "From this wonderful place called Heaven, Where all my pain is gone, I send a gentle breeze to whisper, My Loved Ones, Please go on".
My love to all of you.
Lew Brandolini
June 4, 2013
Offering my deepest condolences during this difficult time, I'm so very sorry for your loss, death is something we are never prepared for, but please find comfort in knowing sickness, pain and death will one day be no more.
Dolores Manion
June 4, 2013
Dear Ellen, I will be praying for you and for your family. Richie's long journey is over now and he is at peace.
Eddie Tobin
June 4, 2013
It's always very saddening when an old friend passes He will be missed by many
Sherry Hunsicker
June 4, 2013
Richie was a true legend and one of a kind. All of you are in my thoughts and prayers. RIP Bulldog.
June 4, 2013
A dear friend and wonderful person will be missed by many our prayers are with you. Pat and Finlay Barksdale, Joplin, Mo
Lauren Abriola
June 4, 2013
Dear Ellen and family....Richie will forever be in our hearts and memories.
With love and sympathy,
Lauren Abriola and all Richie's family at The Breakers.
God Speed
Doe Wails
June 4, 2013
My prayers for your family at this time of loss. I was priviledged to serve you.
June 4, 2013
My prayers are with the Phillip's family.
Chip Fye
June 4, 2013
Phillips and Harrell Families,
Our prayers go out to you.
Barbara & Ward Garber
Michelle (Shelley) Stanton
June 4, 2013
I worked at Pilot Freight Services. Richie was A kind man and very good to his employees. He treated us like family. Rest in Peace Richie.
Hanna Monblatt
June 4, 2013
To The Phillps Family:
I am saddened to hear about "Richie's" passing. I worked for him when he was an Assistant District Attorney under Arlen Specter. He was a wonderful man and I know how much he'll be missed by all who knew him.
Hanna Zbik Monblatt
Tom Palmer
June 4, 2013
Connie, Mike,Chris, and family;
I'm saddened to hear of Richie's passing. When I first started working the beach, he was the guy to look up to. "The Bear" will always hold a place in my soul. Rest in peace Bear.
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