Raymond R. Phillips

Raymond R. “Gonzo” Phillips, a longtime resident of the area, passed away on Saturday, Jan. 27, 2018, at St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital in Newburgh. He was 64.
The son of Raymond R. Phillips and Florence H. McKeon Phillips, he was born in the Bronx on Jan. 30, 1953.
Ray was a retired firefighter for FDNY Rescue 3 in the Bronx.
He was a parishioner of St. Mary’s Church in Washingtonville, vice president of the Holy Name Society for FDNY and former Man of the Year in 2001. He also was a member of FDNY Emerald Society, Official Santa Claus for the FDNY Widows & Children, member and past chief of the South Blooming Grove Fire Department, treasurer of Battalion #5 in Orange County, Member of OCVFA, former member of The Bravest football team from 1980-1987, member of Orange County Retired Firefighters Association, former member of the NYPD, was a Delegate for Uniformed Firefighters Association and was UFA Man of the Year for 2017.
Ray was a survivor of the World Trade Center 9/11 attack.
Ray is survived by his wife Maureen P. Riordan Phillips at home in Washingtonville; sons Raymond D. Phillips of Washingtonville and Brian Phillips of the Bronx; daughter Courtney Phillips of Washingtonville; brother Walter Phillips of Stroudsburg, Pa.; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was predeceased by his sister Florence Coogan.
Visitation was held Jan. 31 at Smith, Seaman & Quackenbush, Inc. Funeral Home in Monroe. Firematic services also were held.
A Funeral Mass was celebrated Feb. 1 at St. Mary’s Church in Washingtonville.
Interment followed in St. Mary’s Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to FDNY Holy Name Society Fr. Mychal Judge Scholarship Fund, c/o Joseph Bryant, 4 Maple Avenue, New Hyde Park, NY 11040 or Uniformed Firefighters Association, 204 East 23rd Street, NY, NY 10010 c/o UFA Widows and Childrens’ Fund; Please Make Checks Payable To: The UFA Widows and Childrens’ Fund.
Arrangements by Smith, Seaman & Quackenbush, Inc. Funeral Home (845-782-8185 - www.ssqfuneralhome.com).