Michael Wayne Phillips passed away at St. Vincent Hospital, Erie, PA., on Saturday, June 8th, 2019 at 8 pm at the age of 71.
Mike was born on January 6, 1948 in St. Mary’s PA. He graduated from WAHS in 1966 and from Slippery Rock University in 1970 with a Bachelors’ Degree in physical education. He began his career as a physical education teacher at the Warren County School District until his retirement in 2005. His greatest joy besides his family and his students were his swimmers. He was a dedicated swimming coach for over 35 years.
Mike is survived by his loving wife of 49 years, Shirlee Jean Arthur Phillips. They were married in Russell United Methodist Church on March 21, 1970.
Mike is lovingly remembered by his children, Cori (Phillips) Dunagan, Kristy Phillips and her fiancée, Shawn Young, Kimberly (Phillips) Messenger and husband, Jason. his brothers, Joseph Phillips and wife Jennifer and William Davitt and wife Cheryl and Mike’s pride and joy include his seven grandchildren McKenna Darts, Tanner Phillips, Morgan Darts, Emily Darts, Spencer Dunagan, Madelyn Messenger, Jayce Messenger and mostly his Labrador retriever Murphy Phillips, all of Warren, Pa.
Mike was preceded in death his father, Leon Charles Phillips, his mother Anna Mae Beebe Phillips, his sisters Annette Ratchford and Nancy Noon and his brother Cloyd M. Bookwalter
The visitation for Coach Mike Phillips will be held on Thursday, June 13, 2019 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 PM at the Donald E. Lewis Funeral Home, Inc., 304 East Street, Warren, PA.
A private funeral service will be held at the convenience of the family with Rev. Burfoot “Buddy” Ward, Pastor of the North Warren Presbyterian Church, officiating. Friends and family are invited to a Celebration of Life on Saturday, June 15, 2019 at 1 pm at the former Irvinedale Elementary School, 18 Hohman Road, next to Glade Township Fire Hall, Warren, PA.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the YMCA scoreboard at the Warren Dragon/Warren Dolphin Swim Team GoFundMe page in memory of Coach Mike Phillips.
E-mail condolences may be sent by visiting www.lewisfuneralhomeinc.com
Shirley
I want to say how sad I am that Mike finally lost his battle. He was a good man and good to Ron when he worked for him. He will be missed by all.
Susan Pincus
Our most sincere condolences to the family. Mike was a great friend all through school and a great classmate. He will be missed by all who knew him. May the good Lord bless his family with peace.
Cori, so sorry to hear of your dad”s passing. He was a great asset to the swim team for years.Kristy, my husband and I completely enjoyed the Trip tic that you worked so hard on for our trip along the Lewis&Clark Trail. Please accept our condolences. Shirlee, our years together in Mothers Club are fond memories. Please know that my heart hurts for you.
Sincere condolences to Mike’s family, he was my swim coach from 86-90 and left a long lasting impression. Truly a great man, he will be missed!
I remember Mike as the coach of the YMCA swim team back in the early 1960s, and as one of our group that car pooled to WAHS daily. My sincere sympathies to his family.
Deepest sympathy to the family. Mike was a great coach and helped shape my early life. Warren swimming will forever remember his contributions to the sport. RIP COACH P
Our condolences to Shirley and all the family. Mike was a man with integrity and always could be counted on to help anyone anytime. He will be missed.
always loved Coach Phillips!! condolences to the family on the loss of a great man.
He was my coach, and a good man.
So very sorry for your loss. Coach had a great impact on me during and after the three years I was on the swim team. He was a great man, mentor, and friend.
Mike was my counselor at YMCA and was terrific to be around and learn from. Condolences to the family and friends.
My thoughts and prayers are with your family. So many of us are saddened by his death. Coach Phillips was instrumental in helping shape who I am today and how I approach life. I’ll never forget seeing the joy on his face and the pep in his step walking alongside the pool when we’d surpass a goal he put in front of us or when we’d beat our personal best. Hearing him yell your name as you swam your race was pure motivation to keep moving…fast! So many incredible memories! It is remarkable how he and his family would open their home to swimmers before our District or State competitions – hot tub pasta parties. He successfully led a wonderful swim team family and will continue to live on in each of us. He had an amazing gift for truly finding and igniting the spark within us. My heart goes out to all of you and I’ll do my best to instill his coachings in my daughter. Prayers to you.
Sending many thoughts and prayers to the family. Mr. Phillips was my coach and gym teacher. He genuinely and passionately cared about everyone and made a lifelong impact on every one he met. I have many fond memories of him that I cherish to this day.
Dear Shirley,
Last night I stumbled over the sad news that Mike had passed from this life. I remember those early days when you were dating and he would send you a rose each week. It is easy to see from the messages left by friends and athletes what a fine man Mike was and the huge impact he had on others. I am so sorry. I am familiar with the pain of loosing your love as Jerry graduated to Heaven just 2 years ago. Please accept my deepest sympathy. Even though it has been many years since we have been in contact please know you are in my prayers.
Fondly, Debby (Morgan) Shoemaker