Thomas G. Phillips 1941-2026

Tom was born Oct. 9, 1941, in Youngstown, the son of the late Thomas L. and Sophie Borowick Phillips, and remained a lifelong resident of the area.

He graduated from Canfield High School in 1960 and proudly served his country in the United States Navy, retiring after 22 years as a hull technician chief petty officer. During his distinguished military career, Tom served in Vietnam as a Navy SEAL, deep-sea diver and master bomb disposal technician. He was aboard the USS Kitty Hawk when it was commissioned, a memorable occasion his family was able to attend and share in.

Following his retirement from the Navy in 1981, Tom was offered positions with both the CIA and the Secret Service, which he respectfully declined in order to spend more time at home after years of travel and service. Returning to civilian life, Tom worked in real estate and later with the DTS Corporation, a local firm specializing in explosives hardening. He also served the community by plowing snow for Canfield Township during the winters and cutting grass at Kensington Golf Course.

Tom was a devoted member of Lord of Life Lutheran Church, the Canfield American Legion and Argus Lodge F&AM. He was well known throughout the Canfield community for his steadfast support of local sports teams and for his thoughtful tradition of delivering donuts to the Canfield High School office staff.

Left to cherish his memory are his daughter, Jennifer (Dale) Jones of Billings, and her mother, Myra Dupree; his grandchildren, Simon, Christian, Elias and Loren; his sister, Sandra Calvin of Canfield; his niece, Shelly (Robert) McIlvaine; and his great-niece, Caroline McIlvaine.

He was preceded in death by his father, Thomas L. Phillips; his mother, Sophie Phillips Thayer; his stepfather, William Thayer; and his brother, Terry L. Phillips.

Friends may call 10 to 10:45 a.m. Saturday, March 7, 2026, at Lord of Life Lutheran Church, 550 N. Broad St., Canfield, followed by a funeral service at 11 a.m.

To view this obituary and leave condolences for the family, please visit www.lanefuneralhomes.com.

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