James Paul “Jim” Phillips

RALEIGH, NC – Jim Phillips, 71, passed away Wednesday, September 9, 2015 following a long battle with cancer. Born on September 10, 1943 in Pittsburgh, PA, he is the son of Catherine L. Phillips and the late James C. Phillips. Jim graduated from Dayton College with a degree in Engineering and immediately began his thirty plus year career with IBM, followed by a few years with Ericsson. He was an active member of St. Mary Mother of the Church community, where he belonged to the Knights of Columbus and volunteered with Meals on Wheels. He loved time spent with his family and friends, his Lionel trains and his boat. Jim would often be found tinkering with or fixing things in his garage. The family will receive friends at Bryan-Lee Funeral Home on Thursday, September 17th from 6:00-8:00 pm with a prayer service at 7:00 pm. A funeral mass will be held 12:00 pm Friday, September 18th at St. Mary Mother of the Church in Garner, NC. In addition to his mother, Jim is lovingly remembered by his wife of 49 years, Mary Flaherty Phillips of Raleigh, NC; his daughter, Mary Ellen Phillips, also of Raleigh, NC( Aiden and Ben) ; his son, Jimmy Phillips of Clayton, NC (Victoria, James and Matthew); his daughter, Betsy Scott of Clemmons, NC and husband, Paul (Bridgette, Paul, Drew and Tommy) ; his son, Michael Phillips of Concord, NC and wife, Liza (Will and Andrew) ; sisters, Pat Ruskin and husband, Jack and Kathy Morus and husband, Steve, all of Pittsburgh, PA and many nieces and nephews. brothers and sisters-in-law, Catherine (deceased) and Peter Stauder of FL, John and Cathy Flaherty of Pittsburgh, Maggie and Fran Zalewski of Murrysville, Thomas (deceased) and Dee Flaherty Garrity of Pittsburgh. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary Mother of the Church, Duke Cancer Center or Transitions Life Care.