John Shefford Phipps, 85 of Medway died December 21, 2021. Born in Newton on November 10, 1936, to the late Esther Baker and Clyde Eugene Phipps, John grew up in Alston/Brighton.
John enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1956 at age 19 and was stationed at Fort Wadsworth, Staten Island, NY as a Private First Class. He followed in the footsteps of his father who served during WWII, his brother Clyde (Sonny), who served in the Korean War, and his brother Peter, who enlisted in the Navy and served in the Vietnam War. His own son, John Jr. would also enlist in the Army and serve during Desert Storm. John was a boxer during his time in the Army and played in the baseball tournament between First Army held at West Point.
Following his time in the Army, John returned to Brighton and married Ruthann Kelly in 1961. In 1970, they moved to Medway where they raised their family. John was a great family man. He and Ruthann always had the best family parties at their home with the jukebox playing old music and plenty of dancing. In the summer there were pool parties where John loved watching his children and grandchildren play and learn to swim. John was a devoted and loving husband to Ruthann until her death in 2002.
John remarried in 2012 to Margie Ludwig (Corbett). They were fortunate to find each other and have a beautiful twenty years together until Margie’s death in March of 2021.
John was a member of many charitable clubs including the Free Mason Lodge since 1966, the Shriners Club, and the Franklin Elks Club. John also helped a great deal in the development of the Medway VFW.
John worked for over 30 years at Controller Service and Sales in Acton until he retired in 2001.
John is survived by one brother, Clyde (Sonny) from Port Charlotte, Florida. He is also survived by his daughter Diane Kelly Costanza and her husband Eugene, of Milford, his daughter Tracey Mank and her husband Rick of Cedar Creek, Texas, and his son, John Jr. and his wife Jennifer of Millville. He is also survived by his grandchildren Courtney, Christopher, Michael, Jaclyn, Jenna and Jillian.
John is also survived by his late wife Margie’s family and grandchildren.
The wake and service and will be held on Monday, January 3, 2022, at Medway Community Church on Rt 109 Medway. Viewing will be at 11 am and service at 12 pm. Masks should be worn.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Medway Community Church., 11 Slocumb Place, Medway, MA 02053.
Arrangements are under the care of the Ginley Crowley Funeral Home (www.ginleyfuneralhomes.com) Medway.