Brian James Phelan

Brian James Phelan

May 17, 1999 – September 10, 2025

Boston, MA

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Brian James Phelan on September 10, 2025, at the age of 26. He was born on May 17, 1999, in New Hyde Park, NY, to Paul and Josephine (Corley) Phelan.

Brian was a Certified Public Accountant and an Auditor for Deloitte in Boston, MA. He was a 2017 graduate of Monroe-Woodbury High School, and a 2021 graduate of Northeastern University's D'Amore-McKim School of Business.

Left to cherish his memory are his loving parents, Paul and Josephine Phelan of Monroe, NY, and beloved siblings, Christine Phelan of New York, NY and Peter Phelan of Boston, MA. In addition, Brian was loved by his grandmother, Mary Phelan, and all of his aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Brian loved an eclectic range of music, movies and comedy, and would spend hours discussing a newly released album or movie with his brother and sister. He loved playing online games with his lifelong friends from Monroe, with whom he kept in contact long after he moved to Boston. He was always ready with a recommendation for a deep movie, comedy sketch, article or interview that he found thought-provoking. He held passionate views about social causes and the need for equity and fairness in society. He prided himself on solving complicated math problems in his head and he enjoyed assembling 3D puzzles ranging from a Lego Acropolis to a wooden pendulum clock. He loved living in the North End of Boston because of the neighborhood feeling it gave him. He always had a word and a smile for the old men outside the barber shop or the older gentleman at Dino's (his favorite place for chicken parmesan).

Brian loved spending time with his family. Trips up and down to Boston, family vacations, and biweekly Zoom calls with his brother and sister were filled with non-stop talk about a thousand different topics. He was so curious and had so many thoughts and insights that made him a joy to be around. He was selfless with his time, dropping everything in order to help his younger brother with schoolwork or to guide his Dad in solving TV streaming or Spotify technical issues. He would never say no to an ask from his Mom for help with anything inside or outside the house. He looked to his big sister for guidance dealing with the day-to-day stresses of life and navigating his career. Brian was incredibly funny and constantly made his siblings and parents laugh with his quick wit and fun-loving personality. He always gave thoughtful, personal gifts, taking note of what people liked and were interested in - even if it was something mentioned in passing.

Brian was an outstanding student and work colleague. At Northeastern, his patient, supportive guidance as a Statistics Teaching Assistant for 3 years had a great impact on the students he met. As an Auditor for Deloitte, Brian was admired and loved by his colleagues for his work ethic, willingness to help others, eagerness to learn, and his sense of humor. He was known to come into the office every day wearing a collared shirt, khakis and his black and white Vans - his hair as long as he could reasonably get away with before he couldn't see anymore. His colleagues describe him as going above and beyond, not only for his team members, but for staff on other clients that didn't work directly with him but sought him out for an opinion or a question. He had a quiet leadership style, soft, calm demeanor and a contagious smile. No matter what he had on his plate, Brian never once made anybody feel like he was being inconvenienced, set back, made to be irritated or annoyed. In addition to all of this, Brian was someone his colleagues went to as a sounding board or for a funny joke or a story.

In his short life, Brian had a profound impact on everyone he met, and his family would like him to be remembered for the kind, caring person that he was.

Brian also cared about many social issues. If you would like, contributions may be made in his name to the following charities:

Cradles to Crayons, Newton, MA (https://www.cradlestocrayons.org/boston/donate-now/)

Massachusetts Advocates for Children (https://secure.lglforms.com/form_engine/s/mSsRgjxb5dYxxKLGJoobAg)

Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program (https://www.bhchp.org/donate/)

Palestine Red Crescent Society (https://www.palestinercs.org/en/Donation)

Visitation will be held from 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 20, 2025, at Smith, Seaman & Quackenbush, Inc. Funeral Home, 117 Maple Ave., Monroe, NY 10950, (845) 782-8185.

If you wish, please share your thoughts and memories about Brian on the Tribute Wall below, or by sending them in writing to his sister Christine via email at christinephelan30@gmail.com.