Jerry S. Phillips Sr., 63, of Babcock Lake, Hoosick Falls, sadly left us Sunday, April 21, 2024, after a brief illness. Jerry was the son of the late Kenneth E. and Marlene J. (Bulson) Phillips. He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Kimberly (MacCue) Phillips, his sons, Jerry S. Phillips of Ballston Spa, Timothy M. (Jennie) Phillips of Altamont, and Scott M. Phillips of Hoosick Falls. He is predeceased by his son, Kenneth D. Phillips, who was married to Haley Phillips. He has seven grandchildren, Sarah, Katrina, Aria, Collin, Mia, Emma and Wade.
Jerry is also survived by his siblings, Janis L. (Glenn) Coonradt of Gainesville, FL, Ernest D. and Mark K. (Lisa) Phillips of Troy, Kim M. (Ken) Erickson of Melrose, Kelly R. (John) Hostettler of Watervliet, and Dana M. (Dave) Cerrone of Troy and his mother and father-in-law, Sandra and Tim MacCue of Schaghticoke. He was predeceased by his brothers, Paul K. and Kenneth R. Phillips. Paul was married to Sheila (Hill) Phillips of Troy. Jerry left behind several nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews and great, great nieces and nephews.
Jerry served in the U.S. Army as an aviation specialist. During his time in the Army, he was awarded the Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, and the M16 Rifle Expert Award. After being honorably discharged, Jerry worked at Pacamor Kubar in Albany, ran a successful business with his brother Ernie, E&J Contracting, and a solo business venture on his own, Phillips Contracting. Later he worked as a driver for Overnite Transportation with father-in-law, Tim MacCue, and late brother-in-law, Tim VanSleet, before starting his own transportation company called Darkstar Trucking. With the help of his brother-in-law, Tim MacCue, he expanded his company to a fleet of six trucks, employing his father-in-law, Tim, brother, Ernie, and sons, Jerry Jr. and Timmy, as drivers. His sons, Scott and Kenny, were always very involved with the company throughout its time. The company was renamed Phillips Trucking and Mclovin Trucking when Jerry Jr. took it over.
Jerry’s trucking company not only brought our family together but also created lasting friendships with Tom, Gregg, Brian (Lumpy), Paul, Jimmy, and Carlos, that must be recognized. Other friendships were made, but these guys were always part of the family. Most weekends included all of us hanging out working on trucks, shooting darts, having beers, and eating pizza with grease covered hands, all while being heckled by Jerry.
Anyone who ever met Jerry understood the special individual he was--blaring the Grateful Dead while working on trucks with a Genny in hand and an ear-to-ear grin most days. He would move the earth to make sure you were okay, and until the end of his life, he was more concerned about others than himself. Some would call him a collector of dogs, cats, birds, chipmunks, and any other random animal that needed help, and sometimes even ones that didn't…as he would occasionally stop and feed carrots to horses on the side of the road and hotdogs to any dog he saw (wandering or fenced in alike) while also picking up stray and even not so stray cats. His collecting didn't stop at animals; he would help any person in need. He had a true love for everyone and everything. His help and friendship may have come with some name calling and verbal abuse, but that's how he showed his love. If he picked on you, he liked you, and you had a friend for life whether you wanted it or not. It's truly heartbreaking and painful to think we will never hear his laugh or see those wacky dance moves he had. He was the life of the party in his year-round shorts and a Grateful Dead shirt.
Jerry will be missed by his family and friends alike. It's likely we'll never meet another soul like his again. He is in heaven now with his parents, brothers, and son putting on a show. As you keep our family in your thoughts and prayers, channel a little of Jerry: help someone that may need it and not ask; bust a friend's chops; pet a dog or even a cat; have a drink in memory of Jerry, my father, or the other Jerry (Garcia); and don't forget to laugh a little, it can make even the darkest days a little brighter. Hopefully Jerry’s memory will not fade away. He is loved and will be missed.
Family and friends are invited to call on Monday, April 29, 2024, at Faith Lutheran Church, 50 Leversee Road (NYS Route 40), in Speigletown from 4:00-7:00 p.m. A funeral service for Jerry will be held Tuesday, April 30, at 10:30 a.m. at the church with Rev. Kate Drefke officiating. Burial with military honors will follow at Gerald B. Solomon National Cemetery in Saratoga. As we all know, Jerry and the majority of his family are large supporters of the Grateful Dead. In memory of him, we ask if you have tie-dyes or Dead shirts, please wear them if you like. Otherwise, please dress comfortably, as Jerry always did at any event.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Mohawk-Hudson Humane Society, 3 Oakland Avenue, Menands, New York 12203, in memory of Jerry S. Phillips Sr.
Jerry is also survived by his siblings, Janis L. (Glenn) Coonradt of Gainesville, FL, Ernest D. and Mark K. (Lisa) Phillips of Troy, Kim M. (Ken) Erickson of Melrose, Kelly R. (John) Hostettler of Watervliet, and Dana M. (Dave) Cerrone of Troy and his mother and father-in-law, Sandra and Tim MacCue of Schaghticoke. He was predeceased by his brothers, Paul K. and Kenneth R. Phillips. Paul was married to Sheila (Hill) Phillips of Troy. Jerry left behind several nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews and great, great nieces and nephews.
Jerry served in the U.S. Army as an aviation specialist. During his time in the Army, he was awarded the Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, and the M16 Rifle Expert Award. After being honorably discharged, Jerry worked at Pacamor Kubar in Albany, ran a successful business with his brother Ernie, E&J Contracting, and a solo business venture on his own, Phillips Contracting. Later he worked as a driver for Overnite Transportation with father-in-law, Tim MacCue, and late brother-in-law, Tim VanSleet, before starting his own transportation company called Darkstar Trucking. With the help of his brother-in-law, Tim MacCue, he expanded his company to a fleet of six trucks, employing his father-in-law, Tim, brother, Ernie, and sons, Jerry Jr. and Timmy, as drivers. His sons, Scott and Kenny, were always very involved with the company throughout its time. The company was renamed Phillips Trucking and Mclovin Trucking when Jerry Jr. took it over.
Jerry’s trucking company not only brought our family together but also created lasting friendships with Tom, Gregg, Brian (Lumpy), Paul, Jimmy, and Carlos, that must be recognized. Other friendships were made, but these guys were always part of the family. Most weekends included all of us hanging out working on trucks, shooting darts, having beers, and eating pizza with grease covered hands, all while being heckled by Jerry.
Anyone who ever met Jerry understood the special individual he was--blaring the Grateful Dead while working on trucks with a Genny in hand and an ear-to-ear grin most days. He would move the earth to make sure you were okay, and until the end of his life, he was more concerned about others than himself. Some would call him a collector of dogs, cats, birds, chipmunks, and any other random animal that needed help, and sometimes even ones that didn't…as he would occasionally stop and feed carrots to horses on the side of the road and hotdogs to any dog he saw (wandering or fenced in alike) while also picking up stray and even not so stray cats. His collecting didn't stop at animals; he would help any person in need. He had a true love for everyone and everything. His help and friendship may have come with some name calling and verbal abuse, but that's how he showed his love. If he picked on you, he liked you, and you had a friend for life whether you wanted it or not. It's truly heartbreaking and painful to think we will never hear his laugh or see those wacky dance moves he had. He was the life of the party in his year-round shorts and a Grateful Dead shirt.
Jerry will be missed by his family and friends alike. It's likely we'll never meet another soul like his again. He is in heaven now with his parents, brothers, and son putting on a show. As you keep our family in your thoughts and prayers, channel a little of Jerry: help someone that may need it and not ask; bust a friend's chops; pet a dog or even a cat; have a drink in memory of Jerry, my father, or the other Jerry (Garcia); and don't forget to laugh a little, it can make even the darkest days a little brighter. Hopefully Jerry’s memory will not fade away. He is loved and will be missed.
Family and friends are invited to call on Monday, April 29, 2024, at Faith Lutheran Church, 50 Leversee Road (NYS Route 40), in Speigletown from 4:00-7:00 p.m. A funeral service for Jerry will be held Tuesday, April 30, at 10:30 a.m. at the church with Rev. Kate Drefke officiating. Burial with military honors will follow at Gerald B. Solomon National Cemetery in Saratoga. As we all know, Jerry and the majority of his family are large supporters of the Grateful Dead. In memory of him, we ask if you have tie-dyes or Dead shirts, please wear them if you like. Otherwise, please dress comfortably, as Jerry always did at any event.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Mohawk-Hudson Humane Society, 3 Oakland Avenue, Menands, New York 12203, in memory of Jerry S. Phillips Sr.
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