James Michael Phillips, age 56, passed away on Tuesday, June 9, 2020, at Sibley Memorial Hospital in Washington, D.C, after a courageous battle with bile duct cancer, exacerbated by primary sclerosing cholangitis. He was the loving husband of Sheila Lynn Phillips. They shared 23 years of marriage together.
James was born in Providence, Rhode Island, on October 17, 1963, to parents James Edmund Phillips and Dorothy Scacco Phillips. He grew up in nearby Johnston, Rhode Island, and later attended Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts. He graduated in 1986 with a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice. He then moved to Washington, D.C. where he began a lifelong career of public service in the federal government.
While working for the Department of Justice in the early 1990s, he met his wife Sheila, and they married on September 21, 1996. They raised their children, Courtney and Zachary, in Stafford, Virginia. During this time, James worked for the Department of Homeland Security for 17 years. He most recently served as the Director of Legislative Affairs in the Office of the Secretary.
A loving husband and father, a caring friend, and a devoted employee, James will be remembered as compassionate, dedicated, and wise. He was a mentor, confidant, and ally to many, and his presence touched the lives of even more.
He is survived by his wife Sheila, his daughter Courtney, his son Zachary, and his dog Niko Moose.
A visitation will be held at Mountcastle Turch Funeral Home on Wednesday, June 24, 2020 from 5:00pm to 9:00pm. A memorial service will be held at Saint Francis of Assisi Parish on Thursday, June 25, at 11:00am.
To honor James’s life, donations can be made at http://www.cholangiocarcinoma.org/phillips, to support the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation and to raise funds for research related to bile duct cancer.
Recent Stories
A strong cold front moving into the region on Tuesday is expected to bring widespread showers and thunderstorms, with the potential for flooding and damaging winds during the afternoon and evening hours.
The Riverside Center for the Performing Arts is expanding the impact of its summer musical Next to Normal with a special speaker series designed to connect the themes of the show to real-life mental health experiences in the Fredericksburg region.
All lanes on Sudley Road are back open following an overhead communications wire issue that forced a full road closure earlier today.
Signal Bay Waterpark will now open on Thursday, July 11, city officials announced Friday, marking the latest delay in the park’s summer season.
The ArtsFairfax Events Calendar is your destination for all arts and culture activities in Northern Virginia. Find a concert, play, poetry reading, or exhibition in your neighborhood—many events are free and family-friendly!
Are you part of a performing arts group, school, or cultural organization? You can add your events and classes, too. The ArtsFairfax Events Calendar is free and easy to use.
Your attendance at local arts events supports small businesses in our community and the art makers who help make Fairfax and its surrounding region so vibrant. With the ArtsFairfax Events Calendar, you can stay curious and stay local to plan your next arts adventure!
Go Ape, America’s leading aerial adventure park provider, is proud to unveil a revitalized experience across its iconic Zipline & Adventure Parks. This refresh goes beyond physical upgrades; it reflects a renewed mission to foster meaningful connections between people, nature, and self.
“Go Ape has always been about thrilling treetop adventures,” says Chrissy Very, Senior Director of Marketing. “Now, we’re redefining what it means to truly connect: through purpose-driven outdoor experiences that inspire courage, reflection, and joy.”
As access to public outdoor spaces becomes more limited, Go Ape steps in to bridge the gap with immersive, inclusive, and wellness-focused adventures for individuals, families, and groups.
Christmas in July
Volunteer Prince William will be holding a fun-filled Christmas in July event at Heritage Brewing Co on July 26th from 12pm until 6pm with all proceeds going to support the 2025 Untrim-A-Tree and Senior Basket Program. Untrim-A-Tree and Senior Basket
Your Weight Matters National Convention
Hosted by the Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) since 2012, this highly-anticipated gathering is the nation’s leading gathering focused on empowering individuals with science-based education, support and practical tools for managing weight and improving health.
This unique Convention truly has something
