Arthur Leslie Phillips, Jr., of Milton, MA, the son of the late Arthur Leslie Phillips, Sr. and Ira Ford Phillips passed away on September 25, 2023, at the age of 75. Known as “Leslie”, he grew up in Boston’s South End, and graduated from English High School in 1967. During his youth, he participated in sports and enjoyed swimming at the Huntington YMCA where he earned several awards on the swim team.

After high school, Leslie worked briefly at auto repair and supply shops before he enlisted in the Marine Corps in April 1968 at the height of the Vietnam War. He served honorably and received numerous awards and ribbons: National Defense Service Medal, Vietnamese Campaign Medal, Vietnamese Service Medal, Combat Action Medal, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, and Purple Heart Medal. Arthur was unable to fulfill his four-year enlistment and received an early discharge from the military due to injuries sustained in the war in March 1970.

Upon release from military service, Arthur returned home, where he worked again in auto repair and supply followed by a brief employment at Raytheon until he was hired by the United States Postal Service, where he retired as a Postal Clerk. During his employment, he received positive letters for his customer service.

Beyond his work experiences, Arthur loved vintage cars, particularly corvettes and corvairs. When he owned corvettes over the years, he enjoyed the thrill of drag racing and attending car shows. He eventually shifted his interest. His first car was a 1966 Corvair as a teenager. Post retirement, Arthur purchased and restored another 1966 Corvair and became a member of the local Bay State Corvair Club. He won awards at auto shows for displaying his cars.

Arthur often reflected on his military service and epitomized the slogan, “The Few, The Proud, and The Marines.” He wore various hats or covers as he called it, to honor his service to this country. He always saluted the U.S. and Marine Corps flags when they were flown together in public or private. Arthur made a conscientious effort to reconnect with fellow marines from the unit, Hotel CO 2nd BN, 26th Marines. He was successful in reconnecting with his comrades who served together in Vietnam in which he attended several reunion events out of state.

Life, health challenges and struggles from service-connected injuries caused Arthur to decrease his activities but not his spirit. Beloved for his cheerfulness, compassion, and charm, he will be greatly missed by all. Semper fi Marine.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Todd. Arthur is survived by his beloved wife and best friend, Carolyne Richardson-Phillips of Milton; two sisters: Pamela of Milton and Toni Phillips Jackson of Roxbury; two sisters-in-law, Ellen D. Hale of Bessemer, AL, and Sheila Richardson of Mattapan; one nephew, Dana S. Jackson of Boston; three great nieces, Dana Jackson, Danisha Jackson, and Nasya Bradshaw of Boston. He also greatly impacted the lives of extended family members, Rachelle Richardson of Mattapan and Faye Wilson Johnson of Riviera Beach, FL; and close friends, Mr. Wilbert Lee of Mattapan, and Mr. Lewis Bornstein of Dorchester.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the National Kidney Foundation, Finance Department, 30 East 33rd Street, New York, New York 10016 in memory of: Arthur L. Phillips, Jr.