WESTFIELD – 
David Joseph Phillips, 61, passed away at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, MA on Saturday, May 23, 2020. David was born on June 21, 1958 in Westfield, MA to Edward J. and Floy E. (Williams) Phillips. He graduated from Westfield Technical Academy Class of 1978 earning the Tradesman Award. As a child, David spent his summers on Sanibel Island, FL working alongside his father tagging Loggerhead Sea Turtles for the Caretta Research Project. They also dedicated time working with birds of prey on Florida’s southwest coast. David enjoyed the time he spent assisting with the care and training of Greyhounds, including monitoring races. David has worked at Mestek, Inc. for the past 16 years and was a motorcycle enthusiast, enjoyed riding, collecting, and restoring bikes. He was an avid golfer, playing on the Southampton Golf Club League and enjoyed football and baseball. In his spare time, David enjoyed working on his Pen and Ink art or catching up on some of his favorite TV series on Discovery and the History Channel, especially Ancient Aliens. With his many hobbies and interests, pool was David’s number one passion which he shared with his life partner Judi Barra. He had owned and operated an APA League in New Hampshire. He was a current member of the APA Pool League and a past member of the Eagles Club. Dave has been playing in APA for decades. In 1999 he competed with his team in the APA 9 Ball National Championships at the Riviera Casino in Vegas. Dave competed in the US Amateur Men’s Championships in 2001, 2002, 2005, 2007, and 2009. He left his mark in 2005 by finishing at the 13th spot and then in 2007 at 17th. This is not a small feat but it is no surprise to anyone who knew Dave. He was at the top of the heap when it came to amateur pool weighing in as a 9 in APA 9 Ball and a 7 in 8 ball. He was among the elite and he did it with class.
David is predeceased by his mother Floy E. Phillips, his brother Keith Phillips, and his brother in law John Cigal. He leaves his life partner of 23 years Judi (Davis) Barra of Westfield, MA, his father Edward J. Phillips of Westfield, MA, his daughters: Samantha Badershall and her partner Daryn Johannemann of Levant, ME, Erin Sturgeon and her husband Mark of Brunswick, ME, and Hanya Phillips of Westbrook, ME, his sisters Debra Cigal of Westfield, MA and Lisa Butler and her husband Brian of Westfield, MA, his grandchildren: Aiden Michael Badershall, Emery Marlowe Sturgeon, and Jeffrey Liam Johannemann, many nieces and nephews, along with other family members and friends.
In lieu of flowers please consider a memorial donation to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22478, Oklahoma City, OK 73123 or by visiting www.cancer.org The family will hold a private remembrance service to honor David. The Phillips family has entrusted Avalon Life Celebration Center & Cremation Services, LLC, 691 College Hwy., Southwick, MA 01077 with arrangements. To express condolences, share memories or photos, please visit David’s memorial page at www.avaloncelebrations.com
