SOUTH NEW BERLIN – Phil Wagner, 63, of South New Berlin, passed away at his home on Oct. 29, 2012, with his family at his side following a short illness.
He was born on Feb. 17, 1949, the son of Philip John Wagner and Gertrude Incledon. His childhood was spent in South New Berlin where he attended and graduated from the South New Berlin Central School. He married Joyce White on March 30, 1999 in Morris.
Phil was an auto mechanic and owned and operated his own business on Route 23 known as Wagner’s Auto Service for 20 years. He was a member of the Morris Town Board and a representative of the Republican Party for the Town of Morris. He was very passionate about politics. He loved to discuss current issues including his support of Friends of Natural Gas. Phil was an avid collector of classic Ford cars and parts, antique toy cars and racing memorabilia. He was a member of the Northeast Classic Car Museum of Norwich, where several of his cars were on display at different times. He was a NASCAR fan and for many years raced his own car at both Morris and Brookfield Speedways. He continued his love of racing as a pit crew member for Paul Jensen. If you could talk “cars & racing” you were Phil’s friend.
He is survived by his wife, Joyce, and four step-children, Connie Woodward of Buxton, ME, Becca Henry, Fort Collins, CO, Steve White and Lee White both of South New Berlin, and nine step-grandchildren.
A celebration of Phil’s life will be held at the Morris Firehouse, Main Street, Morris, on Sunday from 2-4. He requested that friends with old cars bring their vehicles to his memorial celebration, weather permitting.
Donations may be given in Phil’s memory to The Northeast Classic Car Museum, 22-26 Rexford Street, Norwich, NY or to the Catskill Area Hospice, 1 Reynolds Street, Oneonta, NY.
Arrangements are entrusted to the Dakin Funeral Home LLP, New Berlin, and friends may express online condolences at dakinfuneralhome.com.
Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.dakinfuneralhome.com.