Hugh James Phelan
Posted By Egan Funeral Home On September 18, 2015 @ 4:34 pm In Bolton Area,Obituaries | 41 Comments
April 8, 1928––September 17, 2015
Hugh Phelan was a successful man in many ways: in business, as a community leader, and as a family man. Two months ago he celebrated 65 happy years of marriage with his wife, Mary, at their weekend house on Georgian Bay, surrounded by family. He thrived on the chaos around him created by his seven children coming and going, with their spouses, his thirteen grandchildren and family cats and dogs in the mix. Though at 87 years he’d begun to slow down after two life-saving surgeries, he continued to travel to the cottage on weekends, read volumes of books, drive, and have strong, informed opinions about local and international affairs.
The youngest of six, Hugh was born in 1928 on a farm in central Ontario where his Irish grandparents had settled. Though remote, the world was brought to their log house through national newspapers delivered by mail, and then, later, by radio. The national game of hockey was broadcast across the country and it fired his imagination. At school age Hugh rode two miles to the one-room schoolhouse on a horse, but there were few extracurricular activities. Though there was no access to a rink or a team, Hugh dreamt of playing hockey, He sent away for pictures of hockey players that were later found, and they decorated his office at Phelan Electric. His mother, Jane, had studied at Guelph University and knew there were bigger opportunities for her brood, and so Hugh, like his sisters, was sent to study at a private school in Toronto. At St. Michael’s he roller-skated with future hockey stars like legendary, Red Kelly.
Hugh was 17 when he first saw Mary, 15, at a skating rink where she was pulling a row of children in a game of ‘Crack the Whip.’ When he asked her to skate with him she must have noted how tall and handsome he was with his blue eyes and black, wavy hair. By the time he was 21 Mary had finished Teacher’s College and they were married.
After six years in Toronto, and a stint in central Ontario, Hugh moved his family to Bolton. By now he’d conquered a natural shyness and was on his way to becoming a top salesmen in his field: electric motors. Though he worked long hours, he always had time to take the family out to picnics, movies, or hockey games. He and Mary came to every school event, he coached hockey and worked in an organization to bring artificial ice to the century-old arena in Bolton.
In 1963, the family was getting larger, so he and Mary bought the spacious Victorian house on Nancy Street where the family still thinks of as ‘home,’ and where Hugh lived the rest of his life.
As Bolton continued to grow, it was clear better facilities were needed, and the idea of building a community centre was born. It would house a library, meeting rooms, and a large arena. Bolton was still a village with a small population to support such a project. But a group of volunteers, with Hugh as chair of the committee, was driven with vision and determination. It stands today as a cultural and sports facility for the community and a tribute to the men who created it. For his hard work, leadership and the countless hours spent to achieve this, Hugh was proud to be presented with the Centennial Medal of Canada. Over the years he has also been presented with other honours including the key to the Albion Bolton Community Centre.
Despite having seven children to raise, and the eldest entering university, Hugh took a calculated risk to start his own business, Hugh Phelan Electric. With Mary’s support, and a broad base of experience in the field, he began to build a business that became an immediate success. After many good years his sons became involved. Only two years ago did Hugh stop going into the office where he’d kept a desk.
Business success brought all the opportunities and options for a wonderful life to Hugh and the family. But Hugh never changed from the man he was when times had been harder. He was always humble and he discounted any praise given to him. He never stopped being passionate about ideas, and had a great and gentle sense of humour.
A few days before his unexpected death Hugh sat at a restaurant with family members who were celebrating, in advance, Amy’s and Mary’s birthdays. Hugh was kibitzing for the camera, along with everyone else. It was a great time, and a it was a great life.
Hugh passed away after a short stay at Brampton Civic Hospital. He will be greatly missed by his adoring wife of 65 years, Mary, nee Rundle, and children: Amelia (Michael), Paul (Joyce), Howie (Ann), Julia (David), Tony (Bernadette), Ellen (Zoltan), Margaret (Chris). He was the cherished grandfather of Beni, Kurt, Shannon (Laurence), Leslie, Erica, Christopher, Scott, Meredith, Genevieve, Quinton, Jacqueline, Sophie, and Elana. Dear brother of Gertrude and Celestine. Predeceased by siblings: Arthur, Thomas, Elizabeth, and parents Patrick and Jane.
The family will receive their friends at the Egan Funeral Home, 203 Queen Street S. (Hwy. 50), Bolton (905-857-2213) Sunday afternoon 1 – 4 o’clock and evening 7 – 9 o’clock.
Funeral service will be held in the chapel on Monday morning, September 21 at 11 o’clock followed by a reception at the funeral home.
After the reception, interment St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Proton.
Flowers are welcome or donations may be made in Hugh’s memory to your choice of charity or to Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario or to Canadian Cancer Society.
Condolences for the family may be offered at www.EganFuneralHome.com
Condolences for the family of “Hugh James Phelan”
Mary and Family:
Words just can’t express the shock and sadness I felt on hearing that you had lost Hugh. I have many pleasant memories of sitting in that beautiful garden having such interesting conversations. Nancy Street will never be the same.
My love and thoughts and prayers go out to you all.
Doris
Tony and all the Phelan Family
Just wanted to let you know that we are thinking of you and your family while you deal with the loss of your father. I will always have fond memories of the times that I was welcomed into your home and your family circle.
Your father was a wonderful person and he will be dearly missed.
Best Regards
Paul, Cathy Adams & Family
Mary and family
Hugh will truly be missed. I often chatted with him at the gym and enjoyed the conversations very much so. Your family and my family go way back. So many fond memories.
Tobi
Dear Mary & family, Dan & I were so sad to hear of the passing of Hugh, a loving husband, father, & grandfather. It wasn’t long ago I drove by the house & he’s the one I saw outside & he was looking good. He will be fondly remembered by many in this community. Be proud, he lived a good, long, happy life:) Our heartfelt condolences to you all at this sad time.
Dear Mary and family, our deepest condolences for the loss of your husband/father, may his memory be eternal. We will miss seeing him at the gym and having an espresso together. Anetta was very sad to hear the news, and she sends her condolences.
Mary and family, It is with great sadness that we have heard of Hugh’s passing. Our families go back many years from being in Bolton together and having great memories of Hugh. He was a great man and will be dearly missed. by his many friends and family. All our love.
Janice Upenieks
Tony, Bernadette, family.
Sincere condolences to all of you.
Pat, Lucie and family.
Our sincere sympathy to Mary & the Family ;
We are thinking of all at this time of sorrow.
“Never fear what lies ahead,”
As you travel each day through,
For there are Angels by your side,
Silently watching over you.
Hugs,
Mike & Kaye.
Dear Mary & family Please accept my sincerest condolences on the passing of Hugh. I realize many years have passed but I was always made to feel very welcome in your home and Hugh was an enormous part of that.
God Bless
James Lloyd
Mr. Phalen, you epitomized all that is good and true in an individual. Your work ethic, community spirit and honesty were your greatest qualities. Above all, you are a gentleman in every sense. Bolton will miss you!
Dear Mary and Family
So sorry to hear about your terrible loss. Hugh will be greatly missed. Our prayers and thoughts are will you.
Sue & Laurie Silverberg
To the Phelan Army aka the ‘Royal Family of Bolton’ my deepest condolences on your loss. Ellie, Tony, Maggie, Julie Mary, Howie and Paul, Joyce and Ann, Amy , I have so many fun memories of mixing it up with you guys and ‘ Mr Phelan’ the ever cool as a cucumber Dad loving the chaos as you so perfectly described . Whenever I would come home from your house I would think well that was way better than ‘Leave it to Beaver’. I feel lucky that our families lives have interwoven in such an interesting way and proud to call you all my friends. Even though we were all rink rats together, I did not know that your Dad played such an important role in the building of the arena, the cultural centre of this universe . What a great tribute you created for him. He wil be missed.
Love Yvonne Devins, Rob Devins and Familes
Dearest Mary and family; I am so sorry for your great loss and my thoughts are with you and your wonderful family at this devastating time. Your whole family is, and always has been an asset for Bolton. Your beloved Hugh, will be so missed.
Wendy Earle
Mary and Family,
My heart goes out to you and your family during this sad time. Mr. Phelan was a well respected man in our community and his devotion to Bolton was well known. Nancy Street will definitely feel the loss of a great man. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Mary & Family Brian & I are so very sorry for your loss
Phelan Family,
Please accept my sincerest condolences on the passing of Hugh. I will always have fond memories of the stories Hugh would take time to tell me during our acquaintance through the years. I will always miss him.
Ron Budge
Mary and family
Sorry to learn of Hugh`s passing.
Hugh always had something interesting to say.
He is one of the last individuals from the days when Bolton was as we knew it
Hugh… RIP
The Healey Family
Dear Mary, Graham & I are saddened by your loss. Hugh was a wonderful husband, father and grand-father, and good friend to all. He will be missed by all who knew him.
Mary, take care,
Bev & Graham Pigott
Mary & Family,
My sincere condolences to the entire Phelan clan during this time of sorrow. Hugh will be missed greatly by many. Hugh was a staunch supporter of the community and also a fountain of knowledge on many different subjects. Keep your memories of him close and they will give you the strength to keep going forward.
Regards,
Ruth McMullan-Campbell & Phyllis McMullan
Hugh was and still is an active member of the Rotary Club of Palgrave. Hugh was a leader in our club and instrumental in creating some of our signature projects including the village clock and community gardens in Palgrave. Hugh and Mary are true community leaders. Hugh will be missed by all.
Our heartfelt condolences, to you Mary, and your family! A wonderful man who lived a fully engaged life. Hugh gave of himself to everything important to him. What a grand legacy.
A strong Rotarian, we always enjoyed his and Mary’s company at the many functions over the years. He will be missed by all who knew him.
In deepest sympathy,
Doug and Sandra Nicholson
Dear Mary & Family
My sincere condolence to you and family on the passing of Hugh. I really enjoyed speaking with Hugh and the visit
when he came to see Bob, they seemed to have so much in common. Hugh will be missed by many.
In deepest sympathy,
Becky Smith
Hugh was an inspiration to me. That hard work pays off in so many ways,
RIP Hugh
Mary and Family
Cheryl and I want you to know that our prayers are with you in this most difficult time. We met Hugh when we joined Rotary in 2000. He was always smiling and talking about is family. He had a running challenge with Charlie as to who would have the most grandchildren! I enjoyed his sense of humour and experience. He will be missed. He truly made us learn the motto service above self.
We are better for knowing him
Warren and Cheryl
Dear Mary and family , our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this difficult time. We have fond memories of coming to your home on Nancy Street for BBQ’s in the fun days of Rotary. You and Hughie were always so welcoming and we really appreciated it, when you opened your house up for our Rotary house tour. Our hearts ache for you, we’re saddened by your loss. Paul & Bridget Bonnici
To the Phelan family,
We are so sorry to hear about your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family.
Sherry, Sean, Arowyn and Riley
Our deepest sympathy. May your happy memories make the days ahead a little easier.
Cheryl and Larry Soper and family
To the Phelan Family
We were saddened to hear of Hugh’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. Cherish your memories as they will give you strength in the coming months.
Steve & Candy Derbyshire
My heartfelt condolences to the Phelan family. I knew Hugh from my own early days in the very early 80’s working in the electric motor business. He always treated me with kindness and respect, he will be missed.
Paul Gyori.
The entire Royal Equipment family extends its condolences to the Phelan family. The electric motor sales and repair industry is a fairly small community where everyone pretty much knows everyone. Hugh will be greatly missed and mourned by everyone within that industry
Royal Equipment and Electric motor: Eric, Carlos, Paul.
What a guy. With his deep rich voice and his love of scotch, he was a winner in our books. This gentle man knew how to win both friends and business. As a Rotary associate, I always enjoyed sharing a table with him and of course you also Mary. Our thoughts and hearts are with you all. Goodbye friend. Bernie and Pat.
Dear Mary & family
I was so sorry to hear of Hugh’s passing. Please accept my sincerest condolences on your huge loss. May the many happy memories confort you now and in the future.
Hugh was a great man and a community leader. I will remember his encouraging words that he gave me just over a week ago.
Mary, please know the entire Caledon community share in your grieve.
Allan Thompson
Dearest Mary and Family,
I was so very saddened to hear of Hugh’s passing – a true and loving gentleman. I was recalling all the times I would call you and Hugh would answer to the phone – I loved to talk to him and to listen to his beautiful, full voice.
I understand that you just recently celebrated your 65th Anniversary – so many wonderful years filled with love.
Thinking of you you and sending my prayers your way. Warmest thoughts – love, Carol
Aunt Mary and family, my thoughts are with you at this time and I wish I was closer to be there. My husband and I send our deepest condolences. Uncle Hugh was a wonderful man and I cherish the time I got to know him and am so thankful that you both made it to our wedding.
Much love,
Irene (and Mike) Dube
My sincere condolences to the entire Phelan family.
A great life lived, he will be missed by many.
Tony and family. Sorry for your loss. I remember my parents speaking of you father when we were kids. God bless.
Bill Mueller
Abbotsford, B.C.
Dear Mary
Larry and I would like to offer our condolences. Thinking of you.
Tony, Bernadette and family.
So very sorry to hear about the loss of your father and grandfather.
Cherish the memories.
Sincerely
George and Suzanne Szypka
Thinking of my grandpa, almost five years since his passing. Thank you, to whomever wrote this beautiful obituary, because it captured his life and his accomplishments so perfectly. We’re so lucky to have had him as the head of our family 🙂 Gone but never forgotten. xx
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Dearest Mary & Phelan Family,
Dan & I want to express our heartfelt condolences on the passing of Hugh. You know how much we enjoyed his company & his stories. He will be greatly missed but never forgotten. He is in God’s hands now & may he rest in eternal peace!
Hugs,
Fi & Dan Plastina