Passionate public servant died peacefully Tuesday April 25, 2017 in Buffalo General Hospital surrounded by his family at the age of 75. He was born December 13, 1941 in Panama Canal Zone, Panama, son of the late Francis E. "Frank" and Bertha (Erdocia) Phelps, Sr. also preceded in death by his fiancé, Linda Klein, grandson, Joseph "Joey" Rosone and sister, Ginny Hill.
Marty was a United States Army Veteran having served with the 4th Armored Division, a retired City of Batavia Fireman, 50 year Volunteer Fireman, Chief of the "Lives Are Precious" Fire & Burn Prevention Program, volunteer youth counselor/advocate for arson related crimes, burn victims and their families and was the Creator, Director and Conductor of the Medina Railroad Museum and co-founder of GSME (Genesee Society of Model Engineers). He will be remembered as a loving, caring father and grandfather, his legacy will live on thru his family and the Railroad Museum will continue to grow as he always dreamed.
Surviving are loving daughters, Tina Phelps-Rosone of Batavia and her son, Nicholas Rosone; Janien (Edgar "JR" Anderson) Phelps-Klotzbach of Stafford and her children, Caitlyn & Kyle Klotzbach, Lexi & Felicity Anderson; brothers, Francis (Sandra Ahl) Phelps of Batavia, George (Becky) Phelps of FL, Robert (Glenda) Phelps of CA, Mike (Linda) Phelps of Corfu; sisters, Hazel Holder of CA, Kathy (Ray) Bechtold of Akron and Kay (Joel) Celso of FL; brother-in-law, Ken Hill of FL; former sons-in-law, Joseph Rosone and Eric Klotzbach along with many nieces, nephews and cousins.
The family will be present from 3 - 8 pm on Friday May 5 at the MICHAEL S. TOMASZEWSKI FUNERAL & CREMATION CHAPEL, LLC 4120 West Main Street Road Batavia, New York 14020 where prayers will be recited 10:00 am Saturday May 6 followed by a 11:00 am Mass of Christian Burial at Resurrection Parish (St. Joseph's Site) followed by Military Honors. He will be laid to rest in the future Veterans Cemetery in East Pembroke and in lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to the Medina Railroad Museum 530 W. Ave. Medina, New York 14103 or Genesee Cancer Assistance, Inc. 127 North Street Batavia.
Please share your thoughts and memories of Marty with his family at www.tomaszewskifh.com
TO ALL FIRE COMPANIES: PLEASE CONTACT MICHAEL AT (585)343-7500 IF PERSONNEL AND/OR FIRE VEHICLES WILL BE ATTENDING FUNERAL SERVICES.
THE FAMILY OF MARTY PHELPS IS BEING CARED FOR BY THE MICHAEL S. TOMASZEWSKI FUNERAL & CREMATION CHAPEL, LLC 4120 WEST MAIN STREET ROAD BATAVIA, NEW YORK 14020.
