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PHELPS
JEFFREY NEIL
Age 53, of Cranberry Twp., on Sunday, April 9, 2006; beloved husband of Diane J. Phelps; loving father of Christina Marie Phelps of Cranberry Twp. and Lauren Lynn Phelps of Mt. Washington; brother of William "Bill" Phelps of Forest Hills. Jeff was the salesmanager for Mt. Savage Specialty Refractories Co. and was an avid water and snow skiier and enjoyed sailing. He was a youth soccer coach and former EMT in Forest Hills. Friends will be received 2-4 & 7-9pm Tuesday at GLENN-KILDOO FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SVCS OF CRANBERRY TWP., INC., 130 Wisconsin Ave. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10am Wednesday, at St. Ferdinand Catholic Church, 2535 Rochester Rd., Cranberry Twp. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to U.S. Olympic Committee, PO Box 15199, Colorado Springs, CO 80935-5199.
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Dean Katsilas
I remember first period swimming class with Mr. Massey, probably in grade 11. I think we were all wondering why did we get dressed in the morning, only to come to school, get undressed, and put on a swim suit.
Mr. Massey was going to teach us to swim one way or another, even if that meant motivating us through fear. Jeff was among the few who did not know how to swim before he came to the class. Jeff, a gentle soul and one who was really trying, was strongly encouraged to swim across the deep end one day by the motivation of Mr. Massey, standing at the edge of the low diving board. He proclaimed that for anyone who could not make it through the deep end, he would personally take down to Father Neptune.
I still remember Jeff, about half way across the pool, and Mr. Massey jumping off the diving board, to take him down to Father Neptune. Jeff exhibited a burst of speed and skirted around him, only to have Mr. Massey go down to Father Neptune himself! A close call to be sure, and on with which we could all identify. But, we did all learn how to swim!