John R.

"Jack" Phillips, Jr.

Lifelong Chelsea resident and retired Chelsea Police Detective, John R. Phillips, Jr. passed away on Tuesday, February 7th after living courageously with ongoing illnesses for the past 10 years.  He was 82 years of age.  He was the beloved son of the late John R. Sr., and Mary L. (McClellan) Phillips.  Jack received his education attending Our Lady of Grace Grammar School and was a member of Chelsea High School Class of 1958.

He was married to Carol A. (Arsenault) Phillips and raised their family of four children in Chelsea.

As young man Jack began working at the Boston Navy Shipyard and was later appointed as a Patrolman with the Chelsea Police Department.  Working with the CPD for nearly 40 years he retired as a Narcotic's Detective in 2002.

He was a longtime member and Trustee of the Sagamore Club in Chelsea. A Fourth-Degree member of the Chelsea Knights of Columbus, and held memberships with the MA Police Assoc., the Chelsea Police Relief Assoc., and the N.E. Narcotics Assoc.

His life's devotion was to his wife and family, he was a faithful lifelong parishioner of Our Lady of Grace Church.  If asked his greatest role was that of Papa to his 20 grand and great grandchildren and "Papa Jack" to his extended family.

In addition to his parents Jack was recently predeceased by his son John R. Phillips, III in September of 2022, a grandson Michael Swallow, his sisters; Sara Jane Wilson, and Patricia Ann Mabrey and brother William R. Phillips.

He was the beloved husband of 60 years to Carol A. (Arsenault) Phillips, Devoted father and father-in-law of Patricia "Patti" Phillips of Chelsea, Kelley Gellar and her husband Eric of North Reading, William R. Phillips and his wife Christine of Townsend, and the late John R. Phillips, III, survived by his wife Dina M. Phillips of Chelsea.  Cherished Papa of Christina Swallow, Richard and wife Ashley Swallow, Baylee and Emylee Gellar, Brianna Zeck and husband Ryan, Kelsie Manly and husband Alec, Courtney Phillips, Kaitlyn  Guillemette and husband Branden, Sr., Ryann Phillips, and the late Michael Swallow.  Cherished great-grandfather "Papa" of Callie Mae, and Caden Jack Zeck, Wyatt and Olivia Manly, Aubrey and Abigail Phillips, Krystina, Korie and Branden Guillemette, Jr., and Sadie Rain Swallow.  Cherished uncle of Cindy and Robert Donarumo and their daughters Sara and Haylee Donarumo.  Ron and Glenda Mabrey and John Mabrey.

Visiting hours will be held from the Welsh Funeral Home, 718 Broadway, Chelsea on Monday February 13th from 4 - 8 P.M.  Relatives and friends are most kindly invited to attend.  Funeral from the Welsh Funeral Home on Tuesday February 14th at 9:00 A.M. followed by a funeral mass at Our Lady of Grace Church, 59 Nichols St. Chelsea at 10:00 A.M.  Services will conclude with interment at Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett.

Should friends desire, contributions in Jack's Name may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Pl., Memphis, TN 38105-1905.

WWW.StJude.org/Donate .