Charles M. Phillips

Friends will be received at the funeral home on Friday from 4 PM to 7 PM.

A funeral home service will take place Saturday 10:30 AM at the funeral home.

Burial will follow with military honors in the Fairview Cemetery, Stone Ridge.

Charles M. Phillips Sr. passed away peacefully on July 27, 2024, at home surrounded by the love and laughter of his family. He was born January 17, 1949, to the late Marvin "Bud" Phillips and Hazel (Rosa) Phillips.

He attended a variety of area schools in Kingston and Saugerties, testing the limits of discipline methods as he moved along. He joined the United States Army Reserves in 1967, graduating from boot camp at Fort Bragg in North Carolina. He was a member of the 854th Engineers stationed out of Kingston, New York for over twenty five years. In 1991 he was called out of retirement to engage in Operation Desert Storm where he was part of the 1st Calvary Unit.

Charlie met his wife, Judy, while working at Waldbaum's in 1967, and they were married on June 7, 1969. Together, they raised three children. Charlie was employed by Shop Rite for many years until his retirement. In his retirement, he attended Hudson Valley Community College and he helped care for all of his grandchildren. He spent many hours tolerating practice sessions of flute, trumpet and drums, listening to baseballs being rolled down the roof of the house while he was trying to sleep, and sitting on bleachers watching his children and grandchildren participate in their sporting endeavors, which he traveled sometimes hours away to see. Whether it was his voice or a megaphone with sound effects, everyone knew where he was sitting and who he was rooting for. Charlie was an active volunteer in his community. He helped coach girls' softball in Mt. Marion, the Town of Ulster Little League and Saugerties Little League. He was part of a driving force that made sure his players were treated fairly by the leagues where he coached, in a time when his teams played on subpar fields with hand me down equipment. He was secretly the man in the red suit whenever and wherever Santa needed a helper. He was a Volunteer Firefighter, beginning in his younger years with Spring Lake Fire Department to the East Kingston Fire Department, holding the offices of Assistant Chief, President, and Captain of Fire Police. Favoring the Fred Flintstone style of delivery, Charlie enjoyed bowling and was a member of the Volunteer Firefighter's League and Ferroxcube Mix (later changed to Our League), was president of Our League, and a member of the KBA Hall of Fame. Charlie and Judy were staunch supporters of youth bowling at Hoe Bowl on the Hill and Patel's Kingston Lanes. Charlie also volunteered for the Joyce-Shirick Post 1386 and Legion Post 150. He was a member of the Post 1386 Color Guard, ensuring that veterans received a respectful and honorable funeral service in appreciation of the service they gave to the greatest country in the world, The United States of America.

Charlie leaves behind his beloved wife of 55 years, Judith (Dickson), a brother Joseph Cannon (Kelli), children Jean (Kenneth) Winters of Ulster Park, Carol (Stephen) Hikade of Stone Ridge, and Charles Jr (Deanna Woolsey) at home. He also leaves behind grandchildren Nicole (Ryan) Dutcher, Jacob and Benjamin Hikade, William (Kelsi) and Madison Phillips, Kenneth, Cody, Jordon and Madison Winters, Lexi Woolsey and great grandchildren Evelyn, Julian, Helaina and Sadie, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and brothers and sisters at arms. He was predeceased by his parents, his big sister Margaret and husband Dennis Longendyke, brothers Charles "Butch" Lowe and Leonard and wife Alice Phillips, his in-laws William and Cecilia Dickson, brother-in-law Edward Dickson, Godson Jason Nyulassy and an infant great grandchild.

The family would like to thank Golden Hill Nursing and Rehabilitation Center and Hudson Valley Health Alliance. We will be forever grateful for the end-of-life care he received from Hudson Valley Hospice- Stephanie, Hope, Jen, Ben, and Alyssa.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation to Hudson Valley Hospice, 80 Washington Street, Suite 204, Poughkeepsie, New York 12601,  the Patriots Project Veterans Home or the Ulster County Veterans Emergency Fund, 5 Development Court Kingston, New York 12401. Please think of him when you see a veteran selling poppies.