Eastbourne scouting, sporting and church stalwart passes away

Andy Phillips died recently at the age of 71 after a short stay at the Conquest Hospital in Hastings.

His family said he cared more for others than himself and spent much of his life volunteering within the community.

A former pupil at Ratton School, Mr Phillips played football and was a goalkeeper for Eastbourne United.

He also played stoolball at Division 1 level – his last team being Boro Exeds. He played his last match in 2019 and his family said he would have carried on umpiring if it had not been for Covid-19.

Mr Phillips also played table tennis and badminton and enjoyed horse and dog racing.

His main love however was rugby and he played for Eastbourne 1st, Sussex, Bath, and a match for the Penguins.

Aside from sport, he joined Eastbourne 4th Christchurch cub pack and worked his way up through the scouting movement to become a leader and helped maintain Bushy Wood.

In his younger years he worked for Frank Sayers Furniture Shop and Removals, as a milkman and at Jaycee Furniture Makers. He gained his HGV licence and went on to work for United Yeast, Channel Window Fabricators and for 30 years up until his retirement in 2019 for the NHS delivery laundry service to London and the south east.

Mr Phillips also helped out behind the scenes with Meads Dance Studio and Southern Youth Ballet, including fundraising.

For many years he was a large part of the Broadway United Church in Lindfield Road and became an elder eight years ago and was also a buildings steward. He also helped out with the youth club at St Luke’s Church in Elm Grove.

His wife June said, “Andy was well known in Eastbourne through sport and work. Many others would have met him as he was very friendly and chatty. He would talk to anyone whilst waiting in a queue or anywhere.”

Mr Phillips leaves his wife, son Wayne, stepdaughters Katie and Rachael and grandchildren.

His funeral service is on Wednesday March 24 at 4pm at Eastbourne Crematorium.

Donations can be made in Mr Phillips’ memory to Chestnut Tree House Children’s Hospice, Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Society or Bowel Cancer UK.