Walpole Obituary: John J. "Potts" Phelan

Mr. John J. “Potts” Phelan age 92 years died in his home surrounded by his family on Friday, January 4th, 2013. Born in Glasgow, Scotland on September 22, 1920, he was the son of the late John and Annie (Connolly) Phelan. He has been a resident of Walpole since 1926, moving there from Scotland. Mr. Phelan graduated from Walpole High School with the class of 1938, he went to work at Bird & Son in 1939, and became a United States citizen in 1940. He wanted to serve his new country and he entered into the US Navy in 1943, where he served with the SeaBees, as part of the 4th Naval Construction Battlion in Pearl Harbor, the Marshall Islands, Guam, and Okinawa.

Upon his return from active duty, he attended and later graduated from Northeastern University in Boston with a degree in industrial engineering with the class of 1952. He was an engineer for over 30 years and retired in 1983 from the Charles T. Main Engineering Company in Boston.

He was a member of the Walpole VFW Post 5188. Along with his wife Ruth they enjoyed big band music, golf and traveling.

Beloved husband of M. Ruth (Polsky) Phelan. Loving father of Patricia A. Murphy of Foxboro, Ruth Ellen Dziubaniuk of CA, and the late John J. Phelan. Cherished grandfather of 6 and great grandfather of 6.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend the Mass of Christian Burial that will be celebrated at Blessed Sacrament Church East Street (Route 27) at Diamond Street Walpole on Wednesday, January 9, 2013 at 9:00 AM. Visiting hours are Tuesday, January 8, 2013 from 4 to 7 PM in the James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home 48 Common Street Walpole. Interment will be in Knollwood Memorial Park in Canton, Massachusetts. Memorial donations may be made to: Saint Judes Childrens Hospital 501 Saint Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105.