George John Phillips' Obituary
It is with great sadness and deep sorrow that the family of George John Phillips announces his passing at the age of 26 years old on Tuesday January 16, 2018, after a sudden illness and lengthy hospital stay. George was a great son, brother, and friend to many. He will be forever missed as much as he will be remembered.
He was born to John Louie Phillips and Deborah Phillips-Albertelli on February 6, 1991.
He attended primary school at Cannella Elementary and Ben Hill Middle School in Tampa, Florida. While studying at Ben Hill Middle School, he received a scholarship for 3rd place in Hillsborough County for his creative talent in writing.
In 2006, at the age of 15, he moved to Pine Island, Minnesota, with his Mother Debie and his siblings Sara and Sean. He was a strong vocalist in the high school choir and a talented artist who received many state and local awards for his work. He also participated in cross-country and track. He graduated a popular and beloved student and friend to many from Pine Island High School, Minnesota, in 2009.
George returned to Tampa in 2013. After his arrival, he worked at Petco, Floor and Décor, Dex Imaging, Lou Phillips Painting, and modeled for Benz Model & Talent Agency.
In July of 2017, George moved to Fernandina Beach, Fl, to be closer to his Mother Debie, his sister Sara, and his brother Sean. He had recently began a new job at Walmart.
George leaves behind many close family members and friends in Tampa, Florida, Campbell, Ohio, Pine Island and Rochester, Minnesota, and Fernandina Beach, Florida whose lives he touched deeply forever.
George’s passions included sketching, tattooing, music, and animals. George was naturally talented in art and singing. He loved to draw fantasy characters. He was proud of his accomplishment in the completion of the cover design for Aaron Loveless' latest album. He leaves behind a portfolio of his artwork for all to enjoy. George wanted to do more with his art and started tattooing when he was 18. Along with his father and brother Austin, he got his first tattoo when he was 17 and was hooked after that. George considered his body a canvas to display beautiful and meaningful art- and it became so. His favorite music included: Shinedown, Disturbed, Chevelle, Avenged Sevenfold, Breaking Benjamin, among many others. The first band he truly first fell in love with is Green Day. He was musically gifted and sang in a few bands including "The Last" in Minnesota and had recently talked about creating a new band in Florida.
George loved the comfort of animals, and they loved him. If there was a stray animal around, George adopted it without hesitation. His most recent beloved animal was his dog Iggy. His favorite sport was hockey, and he followed the Tampa Bay Lightning. He also enjoyed video gaming with his brothers Sean and Alec.
It was found in some of his self-analytical writings long ago that he knew the values he held true and the man he was becoming. George described himself as a champion of the underdog. He despised intolerance and unfair treatment in any form. He disliked superficially and people who pretended to be something other than who they truly were. He was a resourceful and an insightful individual who was rarely at loss for new ideas. He was very sensitive and had a kind heart. He was abundant in humor, irony, bravery, and wit. He desired true love and honest affection.
George will be lovingly remembered by so many: his father, John Louie Phillips, mother, Deborah Phillips-Albertelli, and Lou's wife and George's second mother Carol Phillips. His siblings Sara Albertelli, Sean Albertelli, Alec Phillips, and Austin McCrory. His Grandmothers Katina Phillips and Mary Kaemmer. His Grandfather Jerry Kaemmer. His Aunt and Godmother Betsy (Andre) Faunda. His Uncle Jody and Aunt Gina Kaemmer. His Aunt Shelly Kaemmer and Godfather Theofili (Nomiki) Zembillas, 1st cousins Katina Faunda, Kayla Kaemmer, Brenden Kaemmer, Nicholas Kaemmer, Dylan Kaemmer, and many aunts, uncles and cousins.
George is preceded in death by his Grandfather George Phillips, Grandmother Lola Thornton, Grandmother Jo Kaemmer, Grandfather Frank Kaemmer, Uncle Jack Kaemmer, Uncle George Conway, and Uncle James Kaemmer.
Family and friends are welcome to the viewing at Trinity Memorial Gardens Funeral Home on Friday, January 26, 2018 from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM with Trisagion and Tributes at 7:00 PM. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, January 27, 2018 at 11:00 AM at Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, 36 N. Pinellas Ave, Tarpon Springs, Fl. 34689 followed by a graveside interment at Trinity Memorial Gardens. A gathering of family and friends will be held at the home of Lou and Carol Phillips, 18206 Keystone Grove Blvd, Odessa, Fl. 33556 immediately following the burial services.
The family would like to thank Father Nicholas Louh and the deacons from Saint John the Divine Greek Orthodox Church for family support and prayers during George’s hospital stay at Baptist Hospital in Jacksonville, Florida, and the support of Laurie Baklis sent on behalf of the church to comfort his mother.
Flowers and/or contributions to family in memory of George Phillips are both welcome.
What’s your fondest memory of George?
What’s a lesson you learned from George?
Share a story where George's kindness touched your heart.
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