Tim Phillips stood on the shore and cast out his fishing line to reel one in. And reel one in he did. The catch Tim reeled in during his 41 years that he shared among us was a net full of love and laughter, smiles, jokes and whatever mischief Tim could conjure up. Tim reeled in the catch of friendship and loyalty. Tim caught the big one… and we are lucky, oh so lucky, to be a part of that catch. That is the story of Tim Phillips life.
Timothy Raymond Phillips came into the world on November 26, 1982, the day after Thanksgiving, at the Mary Lane hospital in Ware, Massachusetts. Tim was the twin brother of Matthew Robert Phillips. Tim and Matt will forever share the special bond that only twins can know. From “Day One” Tim and Matt kept things interesting and lively.
Tim passed away on Sunday September 1, 2024 at home in Bellingham following a sudden medical emergency. Tim was the beloved son of his dad State Representative Robert D. “Bob” Phillips and his mom Nancy E. (Ottman) Phillips (past RI Lions District 42 Governor) of Woonsocket.
Tim was raised in East Woonsocket and attended local schools. As a child Tim was involved with the Cub Scouts Pack 6 and later the Boy Scouts Troop 6. Tim resided in Bellingham for the past 25 years. Tim went on to earn his degree from the New England Institute of Technology specializing in automotive service and repair. Tim’s career saw him employed at the Sears Tire Center at Warwick Mall, Acura of Boston in Allston, and Boch Honda on the Automile in Norwood. For the past several years Tim was a very valued member of the team at Town Faire Tire in Milford, MA where he was noted as an exceptionally dedicated and diligent worker. Tim loved his coworkers and considered them as good friends.
Tim was a mechanic through and through. Everything related to cars ran through his veins. Even after work you could readily find Tim working his cars as it was a true labor of love and a part of Tim’s DNA. Tim not only worked on his cars but numerous friends and family would often bring their cars for Tim to work on and Tim would drop what he was doing and go help anyone with car trouble.
Outside of his automotive vocation Tim loved to spend his leisure time fishing. Fresh water or salt water, lake, pond stream or ocean, you name it. From the time when they were young Tim and Matt would “request” their dad Bob to take them fishing – very good, “boys grab your fishing poles”, Bob would grab his book, and away they went…. Giving mom Nancy a few hours of very much needed peace and quiet!
Tim’s other interests included four-wheel driving, watching NASCAR and playing paintball (he was a great shot as Matt can attest!). Tim became a true “grill-master” in his own right as he would grill, barbeque and smoke meats that would make you beg for more and more. Tim liked shows about history, real crime and survival stories. Music was the soundtrack of Tim’s life, anything and everything from the classic hits of the Oldies ‘60s music (you know the stuff mom and dad listened to) up to the sounds of hard rock. More recently Tim took a liking to country music, even sporting a Country-Western hat. Tim had a style all his own.
For all that Tim did, for all that he was into, Tim’s greatest accomplishment in life was his son Devin. Devin Tyler Phillips, Tim’s main man! Hands down, no question about it. Tim would be the first one to tell you that being a dad to Devin was Tim’s reason for being. Devin was and will forever remain Tim’s everything. From the moment that Tim saw Devin come into to the world and held him in his hands on September 24, 2003 Tim and Devin were inseparable. Theirs was a bond of father and son love that knew no bounds. Tim will live on through Devin, we are sure about that!
Tim Phillips was one of the most outgoing and friendly people you’d ever want to meet. He would stop and help anyone at the drop of a hat. Although his family is deeply sadden at the sudden loss of Tim at such a young age; Devin, Nancy and Bob and Matt are determined to keep Tim’s memory and legacy of love, loyalty, laughter and friendship and his special spirit of cheerfulness, fun and seeing the bright and positive side of any situation alive. Alive in not only their own hearts but also in the hearts of everyone who was lucky enough to know and call Tim a friend. Tim packed more into his all too brief 41 years that some people do in more than twice that time. He will be forever remembered, loved and missed.
Tim is survived by his parents Bob and Nancy Phillips and his twin brother Matt Phillips all of Woonsocket. His son Devin Phillips and Devin’s mom Brittany Eldridge both of Harrisville. Tim was the uncle of Skylar Ryan and is also survived by many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends who love him deeply. He was the beloved grandson of Margaret (Gibson) Ottman of Bellingham and the late H. Raymond Ottman and the late Richard L. Phillips, Sr. and Virginia (Whitney) Phillips.
All are welcome to gather to honor and remember Tim’s life at visiting hours on Sunday September 15, 2024 from 1:00-4:00 pm at Menard-Lacouture Funeral Home, 127 Carrington Ave. Woonsocket.
There will be a celebration of Tim’s life to be held Saturday October 19th from 3:00-9:00 pm at the Millerville Club, 8 Lloyd St. Blackstone, MA 01504.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may made to Devin Phillips to assist with Tim’s final expenses.
www.menardfuneralhome.com