Creative Visionary Moves on to His Restaurant lovers everywhere lost their biggest champion recently. Joseph Phelan, the unofficial creator of Harrisburg's Restaurant Row and the designer of more than 70 restaurants in our region, had his last drink and a cigarette on Saturday, December 18th - he was 69 years old. A 1960 graduate of John Harris High School, Phelan often cruised the city in a candy apple red convertible MG TF, refusing to put the top up even in snow storms. Usually clad in hounds tooth or tweed, Phelan was notorious for his wardrobe, even insisting on wearing his favorite red suede driving shoes while he battled cancer from his hospital bed. A prolific sculptor, painter and artist, Joe found his niche in the early 70's, creating remarkable interiors first for his brother Dick's The Gingerbread Man restaurant chain, and later for scores of other successful bars, restaurants, and nightclubs throughout the region. For more than 40 years, the Phelan Brothers proved to be a dynamic combo, first partnering on the wildly successful The Raven teenage nightclub, introducing the hottest Motown acts to Harrisburg including Gladys Knight & the Pips, Smokey Robinson & the Miracles, and The Temptations among others. The G-Man, as the The Gingerbread Man came to be known, launched Phelan's restaurant design career in 1973, leading to the start of his initial design studio Ludlow Fair- a first of its kind craftsman's incubator that attracted the finest wood, metal, paint, and construction artisans in the region.
Joseph F. Phelan '61 ... He was such fun," says Lois Stickney Magenau '61, reminiscing about classmate Joe Phelan '61, who died of cancer in May at age 71. current issue past issues send a letter/news address update advertise about us alumni home People wanted to be a part of his joy He was such fun," says Lois Stickney Magenau '61, reminiscing about classmate Joe Phelan '61, who died of cancer in May at age 71. "He was deep and so intelligent but somehow managed to keep it light." During their senior year, Joe was president of the Student Senate. "Things ran very smoothly with Joe at the helm," says Magenau. "He was always calmly in control—no anxious pushing—just a wonderful president, getting the job done without having to stand out himself." The ability to identify and work toward his goals, coupled with an infectious sense of humor, endeared Phelan to his friends and colleagues and remained strengths throughout his life. During visits with Magenau and her husband, Roger '61, "Joe would put on this wonderful Irish brogue in telling us his best jokes. I always admired how he found such enjoyment in his life. You just wanted to follow him around and be part of that joy." Phelan earned a master's degree at Morehead State University in 1966, taught school for five years, and then spent 20 years with Citizens' Scholarship Foundation of America (now Scholarship America), including 18 years as the organization's president and chief executive officer. He also served in the early '90s as UNH's vice president for alumni affairs and development, and was the founding president of the UNH Foundation. Several months before his death, Phelan and his family established the Phelan Family Fund to provide an ongoing source of support for the Thompson School of Applied Science.
Mar 17, 2021 ... Joseph F. "Joe" Phelan, age 84, a resident of Naperville, IL since 1973. He was born on October 3, 1936 in Chicago and was called to ride in St. October 3, 1936 - March 17, 2021 Joseph F. "Joe" Phelan Obituary
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Joseph F. Phelan, of Moorestown, NJ, passed away peacefully on Friday, December 29, 2017, in the comfort of his home. He was 83 years old. 212 Ark Road • Mount Laurel, NJ 08054-6309 David J. Petaccio, Sr., Manager Plant a Tree In Memory of Your Loved One Obituary for Joseph Francis Phelan Joseph F. Phelan, of Moorestown, NJ, passed away peacefully on Friday, December 29, 2017, in the comfort of his home. He was 83 years old. Mr. Phelan was born in Jersey City, NJ. He was a graduate of Fairleigh Dickinson University School of Engineering and was employed for 38 years by Automatic Switch Co., Florham Park, NJ. He and his family were transferred to South Jersey where he became a long time resident of Moorestown, NJ. Life long hobbies included motor yachting and golfing. Joe was a member of Southwinds Marina in Forked River, NJ and Cedar-Mar Yacht Club in Toms River, NJ. In retirement he was a member of the South Jersey Men's Golfers League and continued to enjoy boating on Barnegat Bay on his beloved Tiger III. Mr. Phelan was survived by his wife Barbara J. Phelan (Nee DeFinis); his children, Robin Morahan (Tom) of Manasquan, NJ., Brian Phelan (Christine) of Loganville, GA, Brett Phelan (Susan) of Cherry Hill, NJ and Dana Burch (Joe) of Medford, NJ; his grandchildren, Lisa, Michael, Shannon, Devon, Ross, Bill, Jillian, Tyler, Nicholas, Alyssa, Ryan, Kyle, Sean and Timothy; Great Grandchildren, Adriano and Gino; Brothers, Thomas of Las Vegas, NV and Robert Phelan of Pawley's Island, SC. He was preceded in death by his sisters, Jeanne Moran, Mary Ellen Domenick and brother James Phelan. A visitation will be held on Tuesday, January 2, 2018, from 6-8 PM, immediately followed by his memorial service, both at the Mount Laurel Home for Funerals, 212 Ark Road, Mount Laurel, NJ.