Largo – It is with extreme sadness that we announce the passing of John Draper Phelps, age 79, of Largo, Florida, Nashua, New Hampshire, Somerville, Massachusetts, and Camden, New York. He passed on to an eternal life on February 25, 2022, at Hospice, with his loving family at his side after a sudden illness. The world has lost a great son, brother, husband, father, and friend. He was born in Camden, New York to Ellsworth J. Phelps and Clara R. Eckel, the fourth of six children. He graduated from Camden High School, Camden, New York in 1960, and played trombone in the award winning high school band. John proudly served in the United States Navy aboard the naval ship U.S.S. Compton DD-705 and became a lifelong member of the Tin Can Sailors. While serving, he met his loving wife Jeannette and was a devoted husband in marriage for 55 years. His family meant more to him than anything else in the world and he was unendingly proud of his two sons Robert John and Kevin Marc. He cherished his time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. John was a Drafting Engineer for much of his career. He later worked as a supervisor in mechanical engineering departments retiring with his wife in Florida in 1994.
He loved helping others volunteering with his wife serving the Diocese in Manchester, NH, as a Pre-Marriage counselor, and serving the Diocese in St. Petersburg, FL, as part of the Parish Vocation Enrichment Team, and the American Red Cross. He volunteered in Prison Ministry bringing hope and faith to those impacted by crime. His voice was awe inspiring as a cantor and choir member in his parish and community. John was a member of Toastmasters and loved to tell stories of his speaking adventures. He had an incredible interest in genealogy tracing his family back multiple generations.
John was a member of St. Matthew Catholic Church, Largo, Florida. He is predeceased in death by his parents, Ellsworth and Clara Phelps, brother, David Phelps, and wife Jeannette Phelps.
John was always there for family and friends. His compassion, generosity, and humor were beloved to all that knew him. Times spent with family, friends and neighbors were some of his most treasured memories.
He is survived by his son, Robert John Phelps, his wife Maria Phelps, son, Kevin Marc Phelps, his wife, Sylvia Embry, Granddaughter Amanda Phelps, her fiancé Marcio Faria, Grandsons Alexander Carl Phelps, Gabriel John Phelps, Kenneth Kass, his wife Matty Kass, Great-granddaughters Jade Pacheco, Mima Faria, Sister Nancy Phelps, Brother Philip Phelps, his wife Betty Phelps, Sister Ruth Nowakowski, her husband Edward Nowaskowski, Sister Lucille Phelps, and many cousins, nieces, and nephews. An important part of his family is Juan Pacheco, the father of Jade.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, March 25 at 11AM. St. Matthew Catholic Church 9111 90TH Ave Largo FL 33777. For those unable to attend the service it will be live streamed on Facebook at https://stmat.org/ Due to Lent please no flowers. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Suncoast Hospice 5771 Roosevelt Blvd, Clearwater, FL 33760 Tel: (727)467-7423
https://suncoasthospice.org/online-donations/
Interment will be a private Naval ceremony at a suitable Veterans location with his wife as part of his final wishes.
We offer our sincere condolences to the family & friends. John added so much to our Camden NY page! He shared his memories of growing up here and the joy of our small town, also his love for family was evident. He will be greatly missed! From Jonnie & Barbara Nickles
May you rest in peace my new found cousin I am gonna miss talking to you about genealogy and in my news FB news feed.
I am sorry for your loss. John and I had some great conversations about our common ancestor, Revolutionary War soldier, Daniel Parke! Our Grandfathers were brothers, Jesse and Lucien Phelps. John will be missed.
We certainly had a great time getting to know you and hanging out with you @ Donna and Toby’s.
It was a map of Camden that introduced us. It was Camden, the navy and a shared view of humanity that connected us. We became Facebook friends. No matter what John had to say, it was clear, eloquent and felt on the receiving end as if you were seeing through his eyes. RIP John. You will be missed. My sincerest condolences to John family and friends.