John Phelan

Born in Queens, NY on April 27, 1934 Departed on February 6, 2021 and resided in White Plains, NYVisitation: Ballard Durand - White PlainsWednesday February 10, 2021 3:00pm to 7:00pmMass of Christian Burial: Our Lady of Sorrows ChurchThursday February 11, 2021 10:00am to 11:00amBurial: Gate of Heaven CemeteryThursday February 11, 2021

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of John "Jack" Phelan on February 6, 2021. He was 86 years old. Jack was born on April 27, 1934 in Queens, NY, the son of the late Katherine Raphael and John Phelan.

He married the love of his life and true soulmate, Carolyn Coppinger Phelan on September 23, 1956. The bought their first home together in Yonkers, NY where they lived for over 30 years before settling in White Plains, NY. They had 57 happy years together raising their 4 children and enjoying their 15 grandchildren before Carolyn pre deceased him in October of 2013.

Jack graduated from Newtown High School in Queens, NY in 1952. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1954 and was given the job of photographer for the Army's Stars & Stripes newspaper. He was shipped overseas to Japan in 1955 and continued as a US Army Photographer for another year.

Jack began his career in real estate at Helmsley Spears in the early 1950's, where he managed over 20 large commercial buildings in NYC. In the 60's he went from office building management to shopping center management. In 1971 he developed his first shopping center, Roosevelt Field. He developed many other shopping centers, and ended with his most memorable one; The Westchester Mall in White Plains, NY. His career spanned working for Lazard Freres, Corporate Property Investors, the creation of his own company, Pembrook Management, and finally as a partner at The O'Connor Group, where he retired in 2007.

Jack's oldest son, John Phelan predeceased him in 2017. He is survived by his 3 remaining children, James (Vivienne) Phelan of Centerport, NY; Kathleen Phelan of Mahopac, NY and Jeffrey (Nicole) Phelan of Smithtown, NY. He has 15 grandchildren who he adored and cherished: Jessica, Megan, Kayla, Jeffrey, Samantha, Tiffany, Andrew, Jake, Brittany, Sean, Nicole, Giorgianna, Camille, Elaina and Gabrielle, and one great granddaughter, Jayde.

We will all miss Jack's sense of humor and his guidance in our lives, but we take comfort in knowing he is reunited with his loving wife and oldest son.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The American Cancer Society.