Winthrop John Phillipps

Winthrop John "Jack" Phillipps, of Walpole, 98, died peacefully January 26, in the Pond Home, in Wrentham. Born in Malden, Massachusetts on January 11, 1916, he was the son of the late Benjamin Franklin and Lillian (Bradley) Phillipps.

Jack was a devoted husband and father, consummate aviator and dear friend to many. He began his aviation career in 1937. During WWII he served as chief pilot of the War Training Program, teaching young pilots advanced aerobatics before they entered combat. After the war he became the original test pilot of the Helioplane, the first STOL aircraft. Jack had a long career at Wiggins Airways as Chief Pilot, Sales Manager and Vice President before he retired to start an aviation consulting business at the age of 79. He was a lifelong member of Quiet Birdmen and the proud recipient of the Master Pilot Award given to him by the FAA on the 100th anniversary of the Wright Brothers first flight. Jack was an inspiration and mentor to many of today's aviation professionals and helped bolster their ranks by giving free plane rides to virtually every child he met who expressed an interest in flying.

Beloved husband of the late Marie Patricia (Meshna) Phillipps. Loving father of Anita Lestan, Bob, Larry, Mike and Peter; grandchildren Abby, April, Bill, Paul, Kim, Evan, and Matthew; great grandchildren Christopher, Eric, Curt, Ronald Paul, Lucy, and Ronny Wayne. Brother of the late Aileen Gladstone, the late Ralph Phillipps, the late Nella Adams and the late Lloyd Phillipps

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend Jack's visiting hours on Friday, January 31, 2014 from 4-8 PM in the James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home 48 Common Street Walpole. A celebration of life will be held Saturday afternoon, February 1, 2014 from 12-4PM at Raffael's Banquet Facility 1601 Main Street Walpole. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 480 Pleasant Street, Watertown, MA 02472.