Obituary of Adrian G. Phillips

Adrian “Scout” Garfield Phillips, a longtime Summit resident, passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 21, 2024 with his family by his side. He was 67 years old.

Adrian is survived by his daughter, Latonia Hall, His son Dwayne Phillips, his mother, Shela Laynette Phillips-Waldron; his two sisters, Faye “Georgie” Cunningham and her husband Christopher and Kim Goldman and her husband Eric. One cherished grandson, Malik Hall, his two nephews, Ian Cunningham and James Goldman, his niece Kayla Goldman and many extended family members and dear friends.

Adrian was born in St. Michael, Barbados where he was raised with his two sisters. In 1986, Adrian emigrated to the United States, initially he lived in Maryland where he took a job working for the Metro Bus Company in Washington, DC. After settling in Summit, NJ, he worked in a job he absolutely loved with Passaic Valley Charter Bus Company which continued his love of travelling. He then embarked on a long career with the Summit Board of Education as a beloved custodian at Summit High School for several years and more recently at Franklin Elementary School, where he made many dear friends with his colleagues, faculty, students and parents.

Adrian’s family was everything to him and he was a proud father and grandfather. He was a loyal friend and the type of person who could be depended on for anything. Adrian loved a good laugh and had an incredible sense of humor. He was a man of profound faith and a longtime member of The United Methodist Church of Summit, where he sang in the choir, played the bells and formed an acclaimed musical group “The Driftwoods” with some fellow congregants. Sports was a big part of Adrian’s life, he was a talented volleyball player, a member of the Barbados National team and traveled extensively to other countries for competition. He was a founding member of, as well as being the Assistant Coach of the Boys and Girls volleyball teams at Summit High School. He loved playing golf, travelling but lived and breathe Cricket.

Adrian will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him. He may be gone but not forgotten and he will live on in our hearts forever.

A memorial service will be held for Adrian at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 11, 2025 at the United Methodist Church, 17 Kent Place Boulevard, Summit, NJ 07901. For those unable to attend, the memorial service can be viewed via livestream at https://youtube.com/live/Wd-wLZc0l6U?feature=share

In lieu of flowers, charitable donations may be made in memory of Adrian to American Cancer Society,  P.O. Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741,