Pittstown - John Milton Phillips, a lifelong resident of Pittstown, passed away peacefully in his sleep, Thursday morning, February 26, 2026, at the Capstone Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing in Amsterdam following a short illness.
Born in Troy September 11, 1945, John was the son of the late Elmer J. and Kathryn R. “Katie” (Weeden) Phillips. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his beloved sister and niece, Marie (Phillips) Delurey, and Heather (Delurey) Ryan, and is survived by his daughter, Stacy J. (Phillips) Littlejohn of Hamburg, NY, a sister and brother-in-law, Lucinda “Cindy” and Jim Fahey of Pittstown, grandchildren, Jewell Littlejohn and George Littlejohn III, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
John attended the District #2 School in Pittstown and was a graduate of Tamarac High School, Class of 1964.
On February 18, 1966, John was inducted into the United States Army during the Vietnam War. After basic training, where he earned the Expert Marksman Award with an M-14 rifle, he attended the Army’s Radio and Signals Operating School at Fort Gordon, Geogia. For the balance of his service, he was stationed at a listening post in Alaska and Fort Lewis in Washington State. On February 6, 1968, he was honorably discharged with the rank of Specialist and returned home to his beloved Pittstown.
For more than 25 years, John was employed as a construction worker and foreman by the former Matzen Construction Inc. in Raymertown and later, for several years, was employed in the same capacity by Rifenburgh Construction in Brunswick. He retired in 2012. In his retirement, he drove the milk delivery truck and enjoyed the camaraderie and friendships he found while “moonlighting” at Herrington Farms in Brunswick.
For more than 62 years, John was a member of the Pittstown Volunteer Fire Company. He was a past chief, a fire commissioner, served on the Board of Directors, and was a past Secretary of the company. In addition, he was a member of the B.P.O.E. Brunswick Lodge #2556 in Eagle Mills for many years and served at one time as the lodge’s Exalted Ruler.
John enjoyed his tractors and driving his Ford pickup truck, making and selling hay in the summertime, and tending his cows. For many years he gladly donated his time, expertise and his homemade BBQ pit to assist in fundraisers for area churches, fire companies and many friends. He was an avid bowler and attended many bowling tournaments and competitions. John cherished his time spent with his family and friends and especially looked forward to traveling to Buffalo to visit his daughter and grandchildren.
Relatives and friends are invited to call on Monday, March 2, 2026, from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at the Howard B. Tate and Son Funeral Home Inc., 2237 NY Route 7, located in Raymertown. Members of the Brunswick Lodge #2556 are invited to call at 3:45 p.m. for a prayer service, and firefighters are invited to call at 6:45 p.m. to offer their condolences. A funeral service for John will be held on Tuesday, March 3, at 10:00 a.m. at the funeral home, followed by a “Last Call” tribute at the Pittstown Volunteer Fire Company. Burial with U.S. Army military honors will be held at Gerald B. H. Solomon Saratoga National Veterans Cemetery at 12:30 p.m.
Memorial contributions, if desired, may be made to either the Pittstown Volunteer Fire Company, 134 Parker School Road, Johnsonville, NY 12094, or B.P.O.E. Brunswick Lodge #2556, 665 Brunswick Road, Troy, NY 12180, in memory of John M. Phillips.
Born in Troy September 11, 1945, John was the son of the late Elmer J. and Kathryn R. “Katie” (Weeden) Phillips. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his beloved sister and niece, Marie (Phillips) Delurey, and Heather (Delurey) Ryan, and is survived by his daughter, Stacy J. (Phillips) Littlejohn of Hamburg, NY, a sister and brother-in-law, Lucinda “Cindy” and Jim Fahey of Pittstown, grandchildren, Jewell Littlejohn and George Littlejohn III, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
John attended the District #2 School in Pittstown and was a graduate of Tamarac High School, Class of 1964.
On February 18, 1966, John was inducted into the United States Army during the Vietnam War. After basic training, where he earned the Expert Marksman Award with an M-14 rifle, he attended the Army’s Radio and Signals Operating School at Fort Gordon, Geogia. For the balance of his service, he was stationed at a listening post in Alaska and Fort Lewis in Washington State. On February 6, 1968, he was honorably discharged with the rank of Specialist and returned home to his beloved Pittstown.
For more than 25 years, John was employed as a construction worker and foreman by the former Matzen Construction Inc. in Raymertown and later, for several years, was employed in the same capacity by Rifenburgh Construction in Brunswick. He retired in 2012. In his retirement, he drove the milk delivery truck and enjoyed the camaraderie and friendships he found while “moonlighting” at Herrington Farms in Brunswick.
For more than 62 years, John was a member of the Pittstown Volunteer Fire Company. He was a past chief, a fire commissioner, served on the Board of Directors, and was a past Secretary of the company. In addition, he was a member of the B.P.O.E. Brunswick Lodge #2556 in Eagle Mills for many years and served at one time as the lodge’s Exalted Ruler.
John enjoyed his tractors and driving his Ford pickup truck, making and selling hay in the summertime, and tending his cows. For many years he gladly donated his time, expertise and his homemade BBQ pit to assist in fundraisers for area churches, fire companies and many friends. He was an avid bowler and attended many bowling tournaments and competitions. John cherished his time spent with his family and friends and especially looked forward to traveling to Buffalo to visit his daughter and grandchildren.
Relatives and friends are invited to call on Monday, March 2, 2026, from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at the Howard B. Tate and Son Funeral Home Inc., 2237 NY Route 7, located in Raymertown. Members of the Brunswick Lodge #2556 are invited to call at 3:45 p.m. for a prayer service, and firefighters are invited to call at 6:45 p.m. to offer their condolences. A funeral service for John will be held on Tuesday, March 3, at 10:00 a.m. at the funeral home, followed by a “Last Call” tribute at the Pittstown Volunteer Fire Company. Burial with U.S. Army military honors will be held at Gerald B. H. Solomon Saratoga National Veterans Cemetery at 12:30 p.m.
Memorial contributions, if desired, may be made to either the Pittstown Volunteer Fire Company, 134 Parker School Road, Johnsonville, NY 12094, or B.P.O.E. Brunswick Lodge #2556, 665 Brunswick Road, Troy, NY 12180, in memory of John M. Phillips.
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