Anthony “Tony” Ralph Phillips passed to be with the Lord on Saturday, Jan. 12th 2012 due to complications from heart failure. Tony’s friendly spirit and humor will be missed by his family and many friends. Tony was born in Hollywood, California. He worked as a paperboy in Hollywood before moving to Santa Cruz County in 1960. Tony graduated from Watsonville High School in 1966 and was MVP of the WHS Swim Team. He started as a car detailer at Moriarty Chevrolet and was promoted to parts and eventually the service department. He then worked at the Prolo Chevrolet dealership in Santa Cruz, working there until starting his insurance career with Allstate. He spent 29 years serving his insurance customers before retiring in 2001.Tony was an avid car enthusiast. He and, his wife, Chris were members and officers in the Model A Club of America and members of the Classic Car Club of America.
They restored and owned several Ford Model A’s and built a 34 Ford Sedan street rod.Tony also owned several Porsches including 1960 365 B Super Roadster with Rudge wheels; several Corvettes including a 65 Stingray and a 1978 Indy Pace car.
Tony and Chris loved to spend time building and creating things together as well as taking long drives along the coast. Tony is survived by his best friend and wife of 46 years, Christina “Chris” Phillips. He is also survived by his son Sean Phillips, daughter-in-law Lauri and grandchildren Dawson, Walker and Audrey of Oakhurst, CA. and his daughter Jeannette, son-in-law Ron MacCracken and grandson Connor of Willow Glen, CA. Tony is also survived by his sister Debra Sundberg of Washington State and brother Marshall Phillips of Santa Cruz, CA.