John R. Phillips, III

John Randall Phillips, III, beloved husband, son, cherished family member and friend, passed away unexpectedly at his home on Sunday, September 11.  He was 45 years of age.

Born and raised in Chelsea, he was the beloved son of John R. Phillips Jr., and Carol Ann (Arsenault) Phillips of Chelsea.

John began his education attending Our Lady of Grace Parochial School.  He played Little League Baseball and High School Football, coached by his older brother Billy.  He graduated from Pope John High School with the class of 1994.  He continued his education at Bunker Hill Community College, graduating with an Associate Degree in Criminal Justice.

He married his beloved Dina M. (Gardin) Phillips 17 years ago on September 4, 2005.  Together they have shared the past 26 years with great love and devotion for each other.  John and Dina first met as childhood classmates, which followed throughout high school.  Little did they know that’s when their love story would begin.

John worked for 15 years as a broadband technician with Comcast and has been working for the past several years as an alarm technician for ADT Security Systems.

In his all too short lifetime, some of John’s passions were riding his motorcycle, drawing, painting, sketching, and writing poetry.  He enjoyed music and karaoke and would serve as a DJ at many gatherings and celebrations.  He also enjoyed camping and canoeing on the Sacco River.  John was a lifelong resident of Chelsea and longtime active member of the Sagamore Club of Chelsea.  John’s truest joy came from spending time with his family and friends, and dancing with his love, Dina.

John is survived by his beloved wife of 17 years Dina M. (Gardin) Phillips of Chelsea.  

He was a loving son of John R. Phillips Jr., and Carol A. (Arsenault) Phillips of Chelsea.  Son-in-law of Carl and Mary Gardin of Peabody.  Dear brother to Patti Phillips of Chelsea, Kelley and Eric Gellar of North Reading, William and Christine Phillips of Townsend and brother-in-law of Debbie Gardin of Goffstown, NH, Lori Ziedins of Malden, and Patty Veneziano of Wakefield.

Dear nephew of Joan Sarcia, Howard Arsenault, Armand and Doreen Arsenault, Mark and Karen Arsenault and Marie Gardin.

Cherished uncle of Brianna and Ryan Zeck and their children, Kallie Mae, and Caeden, Kelsey and Alec Manly and their children Wyatt and Olivia, Courtney Phillips and her children Aubrey and Abigail, Caitlyn and Brandon Guillemette and their children Krystina, Korie and Brandon, Jr., Ryann Phillips, Baylee and Emilee Gellar, Christina Swallow, Ricky and Ashley Swallow, Ariana Veneziano, Tamarijn Ziedins, and the late Michael Swallow.

He is lovingly survived by his dear cousins, Cindy and Robert Donarumo and their daughters Sara and Haylee Donarumo.  Ron and Glenda Mabrey and John Mabrey.  He is also survived by many additional cousins, numerous extended family members and friends.

ARANGEMENTS: 

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend visiting hours at the Welsh Funeral Home, 718 Broadway, Chelsea, MA on Friday, September 16th from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Funeral from the Welsh Funeral Home on Saturday, September 17th at 10:30 am, followed by a funeral mass at Our Lady of Grace Church, 59 Nichols St., Chelsea, at 12:00 noon.  Funeral services will conclude with committal services at Woodlawn Cemetery in Everett, MA.  In lieu of flowers, friends are requested to make donations in John’s name to a charity of their choice.