FRANKLIN
Phillip J. Thorpe, 65, passed away Wednesday, May 25, at his residence in Franklin.
Phil was born April 29, 1951, in Canton, Ohio, to James Edward and Barbara Ann (Hantz) Thorpe. He was married to Beverly Sue Shaffer on June 17, 1977.
She lovingly survives along with their three children, Christina Diane (Brandon) Robertson of Franklin, James Richard Thorpe of Greenwood and Gregory David (Rebekah) Thorpe of Franklin; and three grandchildren, Eleanor Armada Robertson, Aliyah Rose Thorpe and Waylon James Thorpe. Also surviving are brothers, Michael Thorpe of Akron, Ohio, John (Gail) Thorpe of Alliance, Ohio, and James (Mary) Thorpe of Alliance, Ohio; as well as stepmother, Joyce Thorpe of Alliance, Ohio.
He was preceded in passing by his parents.
Phil was a 1969 graduate of Marlington High School in Alliance and a 1973 graduate of Hiram College in Ohio. He and his wife, Beverly, moved to Indiana to start their family and settled in Franklin because they loved the small college town. Phil became a member of the Franklin Lion’s Club when he became inspired to give back to the community, volunteering countless hours to their two annual fish fries, and was a key player in organizing their annual bicycle ride, The Lion Pride Ride.
He had many passions in life, including bicycling, Formula One and IndyCar racing, politics and history. He got involved with the Chesapeake Bay Retriever Rescue after falling in love with the breed. His own Chessie, Indiana Jones, and golden retriever, Buck, were his best buddies.
Phil spent his entire working career as a commercial insurance underwriter, starting with Celina Mutual after college, Meridian Mutual, Hanover Insurance, United Fire, Indiana Farm Bureau, and finally Allianz Global until his retirement May 1 of this year.
He spent several years as a freelance journalist, being published in The Celina Daily Standard, AutoWeek and Franklin Daily Journal. He also worked with WRTV-Channel 6 as an Indy 500 consultant and script writer in the early ’80s.
Rev. Dick Martin will conduct a celebration of Phil’s life at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Flinn and Maguire Funeral home, 2898 N. Morton St., (U.S. 31 North) in Franklin. Friends may call from 4 p.m. to service time Tuesday at the funeral home.Â
Online condolences may be received at flinnmaguire.net.
Memorial Contributions may be sent to the Franklin Lions Club, 1112 E Adams Drive, Franklin, IN 46131.
