Philip T Gans

Philip T. Gans II
of Scotch Plains, Eagle Scout, US Army Veteran, 63


Philip T. Gans II of Scotch Plains, NJ passed away peacefully on Friday, Oct. 5, 2012 at home. He was 63 years old and died from cancer complications.


Visitation will be from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 8 at the Rossi Funeral Home, 1937 Westfield Avenue, Scotch Plains, NJ. Tributes and reflections will be shared at 7:30 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Bartholomew the Apostle Church, 2032 Westfield Avenue, Scotch Plains, NJ, on Tuesday, Oct. 9, at 10:30 a.m. Cremation will be private. Cremains will be inurned at the Arlington National Cemetery Columbarium with full military honors at a future date. Online condolences may be posted at HYPERLINK "http://www.therossifuneralhome.com" www.therossifuneralhome.com.


Phil was born in Paterson, NJ to Philip and Isabelle (Donnelly) Gans. He was raised in Scotch Plains, NJ. He attended St. Bartholomew the Apostle School and Church, earning the Eagle Scout award as a member of the Apache Patrol with Boy Scout Troop 203. He graduated in the inaugural class of Union Catholic High School. Phil was an alumnus of Rutgers University. He resided in Cold Spring, NY and Peekskill, NY for twenty years, returning to Scotch Plains in 2001.


Phil was a veteran of United States Army, having served his country as a sergeant at the DMZ in Korea during the Vietnam War. He was a member of the 7th Infantry Division Association, American Legion Post 209 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10122. He was Past President of the Vietnam Veterans of America Westchester County Chapter 49. He served as Co-chairman of the Scotch Plains-Fanwood Memorial Day Parade Committee for many years.


Phil was employed by the City of Plainfield as an Economic Development Coordinator, involved in the creation of Milt Campbell Field and the advancement of flood control initiatives. He also worked for the City of Peekskill as a City Planner. For the past twelve years, he was a Business Services Representative for the New York State Department of Labor.


He was an avid skier and competitive ocean sailboat racer. He participated in the St. Bart's Old-Timers Softball League.?

Phil was preceded in death by his parents.

He is survived by his loving daughter Katrina; brother Richard and wife Margaret; niece Kelly Smeding and husband Dennis; grandniece Aeva. He will be greatly missed by his many friends, especially his military veteran buddies.


In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Phil's memory to Wounded Warrior Project, 4899 Belfort Road, Suite 300, Jacksonville, FL 32256 (www.woundedwarriorproject.org).