Obituary of Rolland E. Phillips

Rolland E. Phillips, "Rolly", 89, of Jamestown, NY, passed away peacefully on November 4, 2020. A lifelong area resident, he was born February 19, 1931 in Jamestown, a son of the late Gordon E. and Edith L.H. Soderquist Phillips. He was a 1950 graduate of Jamestown High School, where he was a member of Braw Caddie Clan and greatly enjoyed playing the drums in his dance band. Rolland owned and operated Phillips T.V. Sales and Service at his store in the Foote Ave. Plaza and then began his career in the lab at Blackstone Corp., until he retired. He also taught a part time Astrology class at Jamestown Community College. Rolland was a communicant of Holy Apostles Parish, Ss Peter and Paul Church, where he formerly served as a Eucharistic Minister. He was a member of the Jaycees, the philatelic society, and was secretary of the American Legion Drum, Fife and Bugle Corps, Inc. He also volunteered on the Arts Council and for Lucy Fest. He was a member of the Elks Club #263, serving as secretary, exalted ruler, and on numerous committees including Special Olympics, preparing and serving turkey dinners for Christmas, and delivering dictionaries to local third grade students. His many awards included Officer of the Year and Elk of the Year. Rolly will be remembered for his willingness to help others and for his community spirit. He enjoyed collecting, reading, baking, gardening and especially looked forward to traveling with his wife and friends, both nationally and internationally. A special fondness was for Paris and the Irish countryside. His most recent highlight was being able to enjoy an 11 day Southern Caribbean cruise with his caregiver in February of this year. Surviving are his daughter; Candace Flanders of Lakewood, NY; two grandchildren: Sean Bernhardt of Jamestown and Keylyn (Charlie) Grgurich of De Soto, MO; and two great grandchildren; Allison and Elizabeth Grgurich of De Soto; as well as two nephews, Wayne (Ann Marie) Phillips of Jamestown and Mark (Bronwyn) Phillips of Virginia, and four nieces, Marilyn (Steve) Nelson, Karen (Dennis)Erickson and Martha LaBawdie, all of Jamestown, and Beth Johnson of Virginia. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife and soulmate, Jayne Anne Ormsbee Phillips whom he married July 24, 1960 and passed away January 11, 2008; his son-in-law, Keith D. Flanders; his brother, Gordon E. Phillips; sister-in-law, Charlotte Phillips; and his beloved dogs, Dugan and Robbie. Following strict social distancing guidelines, friends will be received from 1 to 3 p.m. Monday, November 9th in the Lind Funeral Home, where masks are required at all times. A private family service will be held, led by the Rev. Dennis W. Mende, pastor of Holy Apostles Parish, and the Rev. Daniel S. Rumfelt, chaplain of Lutheran. Burial will be in Fluvanna Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, Rolland's wishes were that memorial donations kindly be made to the Chautauqua County Humane Society, Roswell Park Memorial Hospital, or Holy Apostles Parish, Ss Peter and Paul Church.