Phillip Armstrong, 62, a devoted husband, father, brother, and friend, died Wednesday, May 6, 2020 at West Shore Health Center after a four-year battle with early onset Alzheimer’s Disease. Phil leaves behind his wife of nearly 39 years, Marilyn (Cornell), and his three beautiful daughters, Jennifer LaPietra (Justin), Kaitlin Deming (Jonathan), and Laura Jarvis (Kevin).
Phil was born January 9, 1958, in Houston, Texas, and grew up in Cumberland, son of the late Donald and Jeanne (Weir) Armstrong. He is survived by brother Donald and his wife Cheryl, brother Peter and his wife Marguerite, and many other in-laws, nieces, nephews, godchildren, and great friends. He graduated from Rhode Island College, was an active parishioner at St. Benedict's and later at St. Kevin's Church, and spent nearly his entire career - 37 years - working for Columbus Door in Warwick. In Phil’s Hoxsie neighborhood, he was a fixture. His motto was, “you can never have too many friends,” and he lived that motto to the fullest. Over the years, he befriended many families in the neighborhood, especially Patty and Jack Richard next door. Phil often held court at his house, sharing a Miller Lite in the driveway, listening to music on the patio, or hosting a revolving cast of family, friends, and friends who became like family. Phil never let a guest’s wine glass reach empty. For all who visited, he was known as a die-hard Patriots and Red Sox fan, an equally committed softball coach, an avid golfer, an expert lunch packer, and, as the sole man in a house with four women, someone that made people say, “That guy’s a saint.” In fact, a long running joke in the Armstrong orbit was to describe boyfriends as “Phils in Training,” in honor of Phil’s incredible kindness and generosity as a husband and father. No one succeeded in achieving that status; Phil was one of a kind.
The only title Phil loved more than “Dad”, was”Papa”. He was the proud grandfather of Faye and Luke LaPietra, Evelyn and Rowan Deming, and Greta and Lucy Jarvis.
Visitation and burial will be private due to the current pandemic. A memorial mass will be celebrated at a future time.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the West Shore Health Center, C/O Patient Activity Fund, 109 West Shore Road, Warwick, Rhode Island 02889. www.barrettandcotter.com
