Robert E. “Robbie” Phelan
1943 – 2015
Robert E. Phelan, 72, of Newport, a 28-year veteran teacher for the Middletown School Department and longtime employee of Vicker’s Liquors, passed away Thursday, September 10, 2015 at Heatherwood Nursing Facility in Newport.
He attended De La Salle Academy and Providence College. Robbie enjoyed dancing, tennis, golf, bowling, crosswords, Sudoku, Yahtzee, scratch tickets, watching TV shows and bragging about his grandsons. Beach goers at Gooseberry, where he was a member, fondly referred to him as the “Candy Man” as he would pass out treats to all the children.
A full-blooded Irishman, he made a lasting impression on all those he taught or served. He had a generous heart and spoke his mind. Robert, Robbie, Uncle Rob, Dad, and Papa: We love you so much… you will live forever in our hearts.
Besides his wife of 43 years, Kathleen, he leaves two children: Bridget Thompson and her husband Patrick and Brenden Phelan and his wife Kim and three grandsons, Adam, Noah and Micah. He is survived by his four brothers: Nick Phelan and his wife Lenny, James Phelan and his wife Patricia, Frank Phelan of Maryland and Stephen Phelan and his wife of Michigan, fourteen nieces and nephews. He was the brother of the late Brenda Stubbe. He was the son of the late Frank and Helen (Gallagher) Phelan.
Visiting hours will be held Tuesday, September 15, 2015 at the O’Neill-Hayes Funeral Home, 465 Spring Street, Newport, RI from 4-7pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Joseph Church, Mann Avenue and Broadway, on Wednesday, September 16, 2015 at 10am. Burial will follow at St. Columba Cemetery in Middletown.
In lieu of flowers donations in Robbie’s name may be made to the Newport Fire Department, 21 W. Marlborough Street, Newport, RI 02840 or the Portsmouth Fire Department, 2300 E. Main Road, Portsmouth, RI 02871.
