Mr. Winfred “Rip” Crippen Phillips Jr., 79, died peacefully on Monday, May 19, 2025, with his loving wife, Peggy, by his side.
Rip was predeceased by his parents, Eleanor Phillips Shannonhouse and Winfred Crippen Phillips Sr.
He is survived by his cherished family: his wife, Peggy Phillips; his stepsons, Arthur D.U. (Kip) Addison IV (Julie), and William M. Hunt Addison (Paige); three grandchildren, Kellam Addison McQuitty (Sam), Anna Holland Addison, and Luke Warner Addison; a precious great-granddaughter, Margaret Jane McQuitty; his sisters, Carole Oakley (Skipper) and Cindy Nichols; two stepbrothers, Dick Shannonhouse (Sandra) and Bill Shannonhouse (Dee); and a host of nieces and nephews.
Rip graduated from Northampton High School and was a Virginia Polytechnic Institute graduate majoring in English. He also held an associate degree in electronics from ECPI. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army.
Rip loved reading, writing poetry, painting, and crossword puzzles. He was especially proud of being a published poet. He traveled around the world with DynCorp International installing security systems in U.S. embassies. He also worked at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge- Tunnel as a maintenance operator for 20 years.
Rip was an active parishioner at St. Charles Catholic Church, where he served as a lector, Eucharistic Minister, an RCIA team member, and established the Helping Hands Ministry for outreach in the community while serving many terms on the parish council. One of his greatest joys was taking communion to the homebound. In later years he formed a men’s book club and continued personal outreach community efforts.
Rip loved God, his country, and his cherished family. He was a loyal friend to many, especially his “posse” (and you know who you are as he talked to you on the phone regularly).
A funeral mass will be celebrated on Monday, May 26, 2025, at 11 a.m. at St. Charles Catholic Church in Cape Charles, with Father J. Michael Breslin officiating. A reception will follow in the church parish hall. A private family burial will be held at Christ Episcopal Church Cemetery in Eastville. Donations may be made to St. Charles Catholic Church, Cape Charles, Christ Episcopal Church, Eastville, or Hospice Riverside.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.doughtyfuneralhome.com
Arrangements are being made by Doughty Funeral Home in Exmore.
