Obituary of Rev. Raymond H. Phyles

The Reverend Raymond H. Phyles, 75, of Peabody, died Sunday morning at home surrounded by his family following an extended illness. He was the devoted husband of Linda (Pulli) Phyles, with whom he shared 25 years of marriage. Born in Baltimore, MD on December 28, 1939, he was the son of the late Thomas and Anna (Butz) Phyles. He was raised and educated in Maryland, later lived in New York, and spent the last 38 years living in Peabody. Pastor Phyles attended Gettysburg College where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree, with a major in philosophy and a minor in classical Greek. He was elected to Phi Beta Kappa and was graduated magna cum laude. From college, he then attended the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago where he received both his Bachelor and his Master of Divinity degrees. He continued his education in the Th.D. program at Harvard Divinity School in Cambridge, MA and studied for a year at the George Wilhelms University in Munster, Germany. He began his ministry in Armonk, New York at Triumphant Cross Lutheran Church, where he served for 7 years. In 1977, he moved with his family to Massachusetts where he served as Pastor for Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Beverly and for St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church on Ellsworth Road in Peabody. He served in Peabody for over 33 years before retiring as Pastor Emeritus in 2010. Pastor Phyles was very active in the Peabody community, serving it through various positions at Haven from Hunger, the Granite Street Neighborhood Association, and Peabody Citizens for Better Government. He enjoyed collecting state quarters, building model cars and trains, watching historical documentaries, but most of all he enjoyed time spent with his daughters and grandchildren; sharing in all of their endeavors. He will be missed by all. Besides his wife of 25 years, he is survived by three daughters, Cheryl L. Cormier of Beverly and Heather and Kristin Phyles, both of Peabody, and his two grandchildren, Timothy and Annalise Cormier of Beverly. He will also be remembered by many friends and parishioners from St. John Lutheran Church. Visiting hours for Pastor Phyles will be held on Wednesday from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m. at the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, 82 Lynn Street, Peabody and his funeral service will be held on Thursday at 10:00 a.m. at St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, 32 Ellsworth Road, Peabody to which relatives and friends are kindly invited. Burial will be in Cedar Grove Cemetery, Peabody. In lieu of flowers, donations in his name can be sent to the St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church Memorial Fund or the Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation, 450 Providence Street, Unit 17, West Warwick, RI 02893.