Richard D. Phillips

Richard D. Phillips, 84, husband of the late Pauline L. (Ring) Phillips, of Fort Myers, Fla., and formerly of Rockport and Salem, died in Fort Myers.
He was born in Salem, the son of the late Richard and Eunice (Thornell) Phillips.
Phillips was a graduate of Salem High School, Class of 1948. “Spike” was a three-sport star in baseball, basketball and football during his years at SHS. He was also a star on several semi-pro baseball leagues on the North Shore and an avid golfer throughout his life.
He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, and worked for Sylvania for many years.
Phillips is survived by seven children: Joyce Mailhoit and her husband, Thomas, of Hyde Park, Vt., Richard Phillips III and his wife, Maxine, of Hampton, N.H., John Phillips and his wife, Trudy, of Chestertown, N.Y., William Thomas and his wife, Dorothy, of Salem, David Phillips of Beverly, Deborah Phillips of Gloucester, and Candace Beck and her husband, Kenneth, of Gloucester. He was predeceased by a daughter, Lee Ann.
Phillips leaves behind 11 grandchildren: Matthew Mailhoit, Melissa Spring, Leah Phillips, Christopher Phillips, Michael Phillips, Ashley Hann, Benjamin Phillips, Mercedes MacDonald, Grace Phillips, Caitlin Ronan and Sarah Waitkus; and nine great-grandchildren: Erin Phillips, Amanda Mailhoit, Emily Mailhoit, Darla Mailhoit, Laura Spring, Riley Spring, Everly Hann, Jack Dempsey Spring and Robert Frazier Spring.
He leaves behind a dear friend, Louise Mattson, and her children, Roy and Joy, of Fort Myers.
Phillips was a member of Lester S. Wass American Legion Post 3 in Gloucester, Mass., and Ernest M. Schultz III Post No. 351 in Tice, Fla.