Peter Franklyn Phelan Jr.
Peter Franklyn Phelan Jr., 84, a lifelong Milford resident, died Feb. 15, in Milford Hospital.
He was born Sept. 29, 1927 to the late Peter F. and Jane Morris Phelan, Sr.
He served in the US Army, during the Korean Conflict, for two years starting in 1951. He volunteered as a fireman before making it a career for a total of 48 years and retired as the chief of the department in Milford.
The positions he held included firefighter, hose wagon driver, pumper engineer, lieutenant, captain, battalion chief and fire marshal. He served as deputy director of the City of Milford’s Civil Defense Agency, which was later reorganized into Milford’s Civil Preparedness Agency. He prepared the first plans and programs that put the City of Milford in line for a number of Federal Grants.
Mr. Phelan was past president (1985) of the Connecticut Fire Marshals Assoc.; past president (1980) of the Connecticut State Firefighters Assoc. and a member of the legislative committee; a member of the New England Fire Marshals Assoc. on the board of directors, serving as chairman for the Education Seminar for 15 years; a chapter member of the Fairfield County Arson Task Force; a member of the International Assoc of Fire Chiefs; a member of the New England Division of the IAFC; a member of the New England Fire Chief Assoc., and a member and on the executive board of the Milford Professional Firefighter Assoc, IAFF-Local 944, serving on the board of directors.
An active member of the community, Mr. Phelan was a Eucharistic minister for St. Mary’s Church, along with serving as president of the Parish Council and president of the Holy Name Society and trustee. He also was a 4th degree member of the Knights of Columbus (Faithful Navigator), the Devon Rotary, the Milford Elks, VFW Chapter #7788, the American Legion #196, past president of Lauralton Hall McCauley Club, the Ancient Order of the Hibernian’s, the Milford Irish Club, and a charter member of the Emerald Society.
Mr. Phelan is survived by his loving and dedicated wife of 57 1/2 years, Catherine “Kay” Feeley, devoted children Jane Hill, Theresa Powers (Richard Pauloski) all of West Haven, Peter F. Phelan III (Teresa) of Meriden, Jacqueline Wydra (Steven) of West Haven, and Tracey Williams (David) of Milford, sisters Jane Falcone of Lee, MA, Eileen Dugan of Milford and Patricia Phelan of Milford, grandchildren Paul, Tanya, Danielle, Joseph, Jessica, Michael, Jennifer, Meghan, Sarah, Caitlin, Shannon and Brenna and great granddaughter Isabelle. Besides his parents, he is predeceased by his daughter Catherine Phelan.
Calling hours are Friday, February 17, 2012 from 3 to 8pm at the Smith & Sefcik Funeral Home, 135 Broad St., Milford. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, February 18th at 10:30am DIRECTLY in St. Mary’s Church, Gulf St., Milford. Interment will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery.
Donations may be made in his name to St. Mary’s School, 70 Gulf St., Milford, CT 06460 or Milford Fire Department Toys for Tots, 55 Wheelers Farm Rd., Milford, CT 06461.
To leave condolences or for directions, please visit georgejsmithandson.com.
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
Special Sections
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Bottom content
Hersam Acorn Newspapers
Additional content