Michael Lee Phillips

Michael Lee Phillips, age 72, passed away August 7, 2022 at home after a brief but courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Michael aka Mikey was born at St. Mary's Catholic Hospital, Pueblo, Colorado. He was the second child of eight children born to Calvin and Margaret (Tillie) Phillips. Mikey attended Sacred Heart Cathedral School and St. Joseph's Catholic School. He served as an altar boy. He graduated from Pueblo County High School. Upon graduation, he was offered a basketball scholarship to a college in Kansas. Mikey refused the scholarship to remain home to assist his parents and siblings. Mikey worked at St. Mary's Corwin Hospital as an orderly and then in the Purchasing Department. He worked at Dana Perfect Circle for over 20 years as a machinist and forklift operator. From there, Mikey worked at Matrix Logistics until retirement. Mikey enjoyed every day of his retirement. He enjoyed being outdoors. He spent the majority of his time outside chopping wood for the winter and listening to Talk Radio with his five little dogs. He was kind and caring to his pets. He was a tall and big man yet a "Gentle Giant". Mikey had a birth defect that affected his ability to hear normally. He also had severe eczema as a baby that scarred the ear drums. He wore hearing aids and could read lips. Mikey never let his disability limit him. He was talented and creative. He loved music. He was a musician in a band. He played the guitar and piano. He had a wonderful sense of humor and was a master at pulling pranks. At Dana Perfect Circle, Mikey secretly sang a children's song in a tiny voice over the loud speaker to the workers' enjoyment. The workers heard the following song: Help me! Help Me! The rabbit said or the hunter will shoot me dead!....How do we know this happened - our sister, Judy, worked there and was the only one that knew it was Mikey! Mikey was a marvelous self-taught handyman. He could do plumbing, electric work, carpentry, washer and dryer repair and refrigerator repair. He built our Mother an outdoor shrine to the Blessed Mother. Our Mother called him St. Joseph because he was so handy. Mikey spent his entire life caring for his parents and siblings. He was always ready to stand up for his siblings when they needed him. He was the caregiver for his Mother, sister, Pat, and brother, John. He ran a "taxi" service for them and was their personal shopper and chef. He was very generous with his talents, time and treasure. He was a quiet man. He enjoyed crossword puzzles and Sudoku puzzles. He loved playing with his nieces and nephews. They nicknamed him "The Toy". He always offered them unlimited candy and pop. As adults, they found great joy in introducing their children to Uncle Mikey. He is preceded in death by grandparents Alfred and Luci Jane Phillips and Charles Lee and Mary Luci Thompson. Parents Calvin and Margaret (Tillie) Phillips. Siblings Steff Chavez and Judy Lynch. Survived by siblings Pat Miller, John Phillips, Maggie Liptak (m. Edward), Marie Roughton (m. Bryan) and Brian Phillips (m. Cynthia). Mikey will be greatly missed and leaves a hole in our hearts.

Michael Lee Phillips

September 24, 1949 - August 7, 2022