Philip VanStry

Obituary of Philip E. VanStry

Philip Edward "Skip" VanStry, 72, of 52 Howard Avenue, Jamestown, died Friday January 20, 2017, in his home. A native of Boston, MA, he was born March 28, 1944, the second son of the late Philip A. and Gladys Edwards VanStry. An area resident most of his life, Skip was a 1962 graduate of Jamestown High School where he was a member of Chi Sigma Chi Fraternity. In 1964 he graduated from Jamestown Business College. He served in the New York State National Guard from 1965-71, achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant. Prior to his retirement in 2006, he was employed by the United State Postal Service for 39 years in the Lakewood office. He earlier had worked for American Locker and Crescent Tool. He attended Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, was a former member of Lakewood Memorial Post 1286 American Legion, Benevolent Protected Order of Elks Jamestown Lodge, Lakewood Rod and Gun Club, Jamestown Moose Lodge and War Vets Recreation. Skip enjoyed golf, watching football, gardening and, most of all, spending time with his grandchildren. He loved meeting people and made friends everywhere he went. He had nicknames for those who were special to him. He will be sadly missed by his loving wife, family and many friends. Surviving are his wife Kathleen Butts VanStry; four children Michael VanStry of Ojai, CA, Amy (Michael) Faruqui of Decatur, AL, and Katie (Jimmy) Watts and Eric (Catherine) South, both of Jamestown; five grandchildren Hayley Faruqui, Trey and Olivia South, Bailey and Trevor South; two brothers William (Darla) VanStry of Jamestown and Robert (Mary) VanStry of Florida; a sister Lorraine (Bill) Miley of Jamestown and many nieces and nephews. Skip was preceded in death by his father in 1985, his mother in 2002 and a brother Leonard VanStry in 2013. The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday in the Lind Funeral Home. Rev. Timothy Hoyer will officiate. Friends will be received from 6-8 p.m. on Monday, and for one hour prior to the service on Tuesday in the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 35 W Fairmount Ave, Lakewood, NY 14750 or St. Jude's Children's Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105. You may leave words of condolence at www.lindfuneralhome.com.
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