Obituary of Henry "Hank" Phillips

Branchburg – Henry A. “Hank” Phillips, Sr., 93, passed away peacefully Tuesday morning, October 1, 2019 at home. 

Born in South Plainfield to the late Stanley and Mary Phillips, he graduated from North Plainfield High school in 1943.  After high school, Hank began working at Mack Truck as an apprentice machinist then inspector.  

He served with the United States Navy in the Pacific Theatre until his honorable discharge in May of 1946.  After the service, Hank continued to work for Mack Truck and attended Newark Institute where he studied Drafting and Mechanical Design.  In 1969, he started his own company, Advanced Machine Planning, Inc., designing a machine known internationally as The Flying Wedge Urethane Processing Machine.  Hank retired on his 75th birthday.

Hank met his late wife, Joan, in September of 1949; the two raised their family of four children in South Plainfield.  His greatest accomplishment was watching his family grow and he was proud of his grandchildren and great grandchildren. 

Predeceased by his wife of 65 years who died in May of 2016, Joan Phillips; granddaughter, Kate, as well as his siblings, Virginia, Stanley and Albert; surviving are his loving children, Steven and wife, Barbara, of Ringoes, Henry, Jr. “Hap” and wife, Carol, of East Brunswick, John and wife, Patty, of Middlesex, Kathy Petrill and husband, Joseph, of Branchburg.

He will also be missed by eleven cherished grandchildren, Maryjo, Steven, Jane, Christine, Matthew, Shawn, Erin, John, Bethany, Kyle, Robin, and twenty great grandchildren.

Funeral services will begin on Friday, October 4, 2019 at 9AM in the McCriskin-Gustafson Home for Funerals, 2425 Plainfield Avenue, South Plainfield followed by a funeral mass in Sacred Heart Church at 10AM. 

Entombment will follow at Holy Redeemer Cemetery, South Plainfield.

Visitation will be held on Thursday from 2-4PM and 6-8PM inthe funeral home.