Obit -- Lewis 'Vince' Phillips

Lewis "Vince" Phillips entered into rest on Thursday, Sept. 22, 2011. He was a longtime resident of Grand Island.

The husband of 64 years of Betty (Welfare) Phillips, he was the father of Vince Phillips of Swain, N.Y.; Sue (Jerry Czajkowski) Phillips of Getzville; Amy (Donald) Cripps of Niagara Falls, Ontario; and Tim (Pam) Phillips of Grand Island. Also survived by seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. He was the son of the late Lewis and Maud Phillips, and the brother of the late Lucille Ames, Julia Stein and Dorothy Mesmer.

Phillips was a U.S. Army veteran and served during World War II. He formerly was the owner of Phillips Garage on Baseline Road. The business was established by his father in 1946. Vince ran the business for 36 years starting in 1950. During the '50s and '60s service ranged from rebuilding engines, transmission overhauls to body work such as painting. His son Tim took over the business in 1986 and is the present owner. It is considered to be the oldest family-run business on Grand Island.

Visitation and funeral services were held Sunday at the Kaiser Funeral Home. Interment will be at Trinity Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Hospice Buffalo.