Marblehead: Phillip D. Cash, age 86 of Marblehead, passed away peacefully in his home, surrounded by his loving family on Friday, February 13, 2009 following a courageous battle with illness. He was the devoted husband of the late Antoinette M. (Deschenes) Cash. He and Toni had shared 46 years of marriage.
Born in Marblehead in 1922, he was the son of the late William and Susan (McLaughlin) Cash. He attended Marblehead schools and was a member of Star of the Sea Parish from an early age, when he was an altar boy and through his later years as head usher.
Following his graduation from MHS, he entered the US Coast Guard Temporary Reserves and later transferred to the Army so that he could serve overseas during W.W. II. He served with the 463rd Anti-aircraft artillery battalion in Normandy in the second wave of the invasion, Rhineland and Central Europe. Following his tour of duty, he returned to Marblehead in 1945.
Phil began his career as an auto mechanic and he eventually owned the Mobil station on Atlantic Avenue. A well known local figure, he referred to each local child and pet dog as ‘Herman’. Phil always managed to find a nickel behind each child’s ear and each dog always left with a biscuit. In 1990 he passed the business on to his son Phil but continued doing errands and odd jobs until his health prevented his driving. At this point in his life, Phil started serving breakfast at Flynnies at Devereux Beach on Sunday mornings.
Phil’s real love was firefighting as a call fireman for the Town of Marblehead. He would drop everything on the first call. His proudest moment was captured in a news photo, when he was covered in ice in sub-zero temperatures at a house fire on Pleasant Street. He was also a past Grand Knight, 4th Degree member of the Knights of Columbus.
He is survived by 2 sons: Phillip R. Cash and his wife Barbara and Michael A. Cash who was his right hand man, a daughter, Lynette A. Cash all of Marblehead, a grand-daughter, Kelley J. Cash of Swampscott, a sister Mary Donovan of Lynn, and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by 2 brothers, William and Robert Cash, and a sister Eleanor Lilly.
Relatives and friends are invited to gather on Wednesday, February 18, 2009 at 8:30 am at the Levesque Funeral Home, 163 Lafayette St. [Rt. 114 / 1-A] Salem to be followed by his funeral mass in Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, Atlantic Ave., Marblehead at 10 am. Visiting hours: Tuesday 5 to 8 pm. Burial will be in Waterside Cemetery, Marblehead. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to, VNA Care Network & Hospice, 5 Federal St., Danvers, MA 01923. For additional information and guest book, please visit www.levesquefunerals.com