Joseph W. Phillips, Jr., 93, passed away quietly in his sleep on Friday, January 19, 2017 at his home in Kearny, NJ.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit at the Thiele-Reid Family Funeral Home, 585 Belgrove Drive, Kearny on Tuesday from 1 to 4 p.m.  A prayer service will begin at 3:15 p.m.  Rev. Joseph Mancinni, Kearny Fire Department Chaplain and Pastor of St. Stephen’s Church, Kearny will preside.  Cremation will be private.

Born in Newark,  NJ, Joe lived in Kearny his entire life.

He served in the Army from 1943 until 1946 in the European Theater with the 17^th Airborne Division during the Ardennes and Battle of the Bulge Campaigns. He recieved a Purple Heart for Valor.

After being honorably discharged, Mr. Philips joined the Kearny Fire Department where he would serve for 41 years.  He was promoted to Chief and 1965 and led the department for 23 years before his retirement in 1988.

Joseph is survived by his children, Joseph, William, Patricia and Linda Philips; one sister, Jane Piccoline; three grandchildren, Michelle Holland and her husband Eric, Sara Reyes and her husband Carlos and Michael Philips and his wife Caitlin, one great-grandchild Sawyer Holland with two more great grandchildren on the way and several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his wife Bobbi (nee White) Philips

In lieu of flowers, contributions to the NJ Firemen’s Home 565 Lathrop Avenue Boonton , NJ 07005 or to a charity of your choice would be appreciated.

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