Seeley M. Phillips
August 18, 1918 - July 25, 2009
Biography
Richmondville (Schoharie County): Dr. Seeley M. Phillips, DVM 90, longtime Richmondville veterinarian died Saturday July 25th at his home in Howes Cave.
Seeley was born August 18, 1918 in Succasunna, N.J., a son of John Harry and Flossie (Lynch) Phillips. He graduated from Middletown High School, NYS School of Agriculture at Delhi in 1939, attended Cornell University College of Arts & Sciences and graduated the NYS Veterinary College at Cornell University 1950. He moved to Richmondville after practicing with Dr. John Goebel in New City and began his practice serving farmers with food producing animals from 1951 until his retirement in 1989. Dr. Phillips was a pioneer in preventive medicine for dairy cattle. He presented papers on that subject at state and international meetings. He served his country in the U.S. Army during WWII. He was awarded the Asiatic-Pacific Medal with three battle stars and the Presidential Unit Citation for service in Australia and Papua New Guinea, and was honorably discharged as a Sergeant in 1945.
He was a member of the Richmondville United Methodist Church, the AABP, AVMA, NYSVMS and the Catskill Mountain Veterinary Medical Association serving as President in 1964. He was a member of the Empire State Mastitis Council serving as its first President from 1979-1984 and was a Council Member for SUNY Cobleskill from 1954-1981 serving as Chairman from 1972-1981. He served on the Schoharie County Arts Council Board from 1978-1980, served on the Community Services Board from 1982-1990 and as Vice-Chairman from 1985-1990 and served on the Board of Directors for Cornell Cooperative Extension from 1982-1988, as Secretary from 1982-1984 and as President from 1985-1988.
Seeley enjoyed gardening, making bread, cooking, and family.
Survivors include his wife, Mary K. (Mapes) Phillips whom he married August 6, 1949, five children, Barbara R. (David) Phillips Long of Shiremanstown, PA, Carl H. Phillips (Barbara Morrill) of Waldwick, NJ, Thomas R.(Margaret) Phillips of E. Schodack, Doris E.(David) Leverett of Carlisle and William E. (Korene) Phillips of Denville, NJ, nine grandchildren, Alison & Owen Long, Andrew & Edward, Erica & Glenn Phillips, Beth, Timothy & Phillip Leverett, five nieces and several grand nieces and nephews and cousins. Seeley was predeceased by his sisters Grace Moulton and Alice Lattimer.
A service to celebrate the life of Seeley M. Phillips, DVM will be held at 2 PM on Sunday, August 2nd at the Richmondville United Methodist Church with a visitation period from 12Noon to 2 PM prior to the service. Burial will be in the Saratoga National Cemetery on Monday, August 3rd at a time to be announced.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in memory of Dr. Phillips to Catskill Area Hospice, 795 E. Main St. Suite 11, Cobleskill, NY 12043, OR to Richmondville United Methodist Church, with a memo marked “Nothing But Nets,” PO Box 8, Richmondville, NY 12149.
The Robert A. Guffin Funeral Home of Cobleskill and Langan Funeral Home of Schoharie and Central Bridge are assisting the family with arrangements.
Facts
Born: August 18, 1918
Place of Birth: Succasunna, New Jersey
Death: July 25, 2009
Place of Death: Residence
Occupation: Self-employed veterinarian
Hobbies: Enjoyed making bread, cooking, gardening and family
Organizations: Richmondville United Methodist Church along with several professional and civic organizations
Guestbook
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Services
Memorial Service
Sunday
August 2, 2009, 2:00 PM
at
Richmondville United Methodist Church
Click for Map and Directions
Calling Hours
Sunday
August 2, 2009, 12 Noon
- 2:00 PM
at
Richmondville United Methodist Church
Click for Map and Directions
Calling hours to be held at the church prior to the memorial service of celebration.
Donations
Memorial donations can be made to Catskill Area Hospice, 795 E. Main St. Suite 11, Cobleskill, NY 12043, OR to Richmondville United Methodist Church, with a memo marked “Nothing But Nets,” PO Box 8, Richmondville, NY 12149.