Samuel Phillips passed away on Saturday, July 30, 2022 after a long and courageous battle with cancer. He was born at his parents’ home west of Laurel on March 31, 1945. Samuel attended Laurel High School and graduated with the class of 1964. He then attended Delaware Technical & Community College. His earlier life interests included politics and he was elected the youngest president of the Western Sussex Democratic Club. He later was elected Vice President of State Young Democrats of Delaware. He also served as Director and Vice President of the State Federation of Democratic Clubs.
Samuel served as a member of the Delaware Human Relations Commission and was an active member of political campaigns, most notably the Congressional campaign of John Daniello of 1970. He was a past member of the Tri-Town Jaycees and the Laurel Chamber of Commerce. From 1976 -1980 Samuel was owner and President of Phillips Building Supply and later founded Advanced Cleaning Service in College Park, Maryland. He later retired back to his home in Laurel where he enjoyed life with his grandchildren and his beloved cat Bunky.
He was preceded in death with the loss of his mother Blanche Dickerson Phillips, his father Roy T. Phillips and his sister-in-law Yoshiko N. Phillips. He is survived by his sons Bruce Phillips (wife Alexis) and Andrew Phillips (wife Stacy). Samuel had four grandchildren, Bethany Dilks (husband William), Tyler Phillips, Devin Phillips (wife Emily) and Abigail Phillips and two great grandchildren, Brayden and William. He also is survived by his brother Charles Phillips. Samuel has two adopted sons, Orlando Phillips of Adelphia, MD and Daniel Phillips of Norfolk, VA.
A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. at Hannigan, Short, Disharoon Funeral Home, 700 West St. Laurel, Delaware 19956 on Monday, Aug. 8. A viewing will be held from noon-1 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations made to the American Cancer Society. Arrangements are in the care of the Hannigan, Short, Disharoon Funeral Home in Laurel.