Rory Allen Phelan

BOARDMAN - Rory Allen Phelan, 70, passed away unexpectedly Thursday evening, February 8, 2024, at Mercy Health-St. Elizabeth Boardman Hospital surrounded by his loving family.

Rory was born April 17, 1953 in Chicago, son of Glenn and Laurette (Grotsma). He moved to the Youngstown area at the age of five with his family.

Rory graduated from Poland Seminary High School in 1971 and General Motors Institute in Flint, Michigan with a bachelor's degree in engineering in 1976. He was a member of Delta Tau Delta fraternity. Later on, he earned a Master of Business Administration from Youngstown State University in 1984.

He was an engineer for Delphi/Packard in Warren for 44 1/2 years before retiring in 2015. For the last eight years, Rory had helped senior citizens prepare their income tax returns for AARP Tax Aid.

Rory was a member of St. Charles Borromeo Church in Boardman since 1984, where he was a member of the Knights of Columbus and involved in many church activities. He and his wife Sharlene worked with the Sponsor Couple Program for 25 years helping people prepare for the sacrament of marriage. Rory was also an active volunteer with the Boy Scouts of America, starting in 1988 when his sons joined the scouting program. He was Cubmaster for Pack 114 at St. Charles Church for seven years and later became the Committee Chairman for Troop 46 at Boardman United Methodist Church for 10 years. When his sons were in Boy Scouts, Rory made two hiking treks to Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico. During his years in scouting, he received the Silver Beaver Award.

In his free time, Rory enjoyed bowling, playing in a league with work friends for years. He was also a car enthusiast, going to shows with lifelong friends. In his later years, he and Sharlene would regularly gather with friends for bocce at Boardman Park. They traveled the world through retirement and were always planning new adventures. 

Rory was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, and brother. He cherished spending time with his family and would travel to the Outer Banks, North Carolina for many summers where he loved to teach his grandchildren to boogie board and body surf. 

Rory is survived by his wife of 45 years, Sharlene (Gennaro); four children, Eric (Jillian) Phelan of Cincinnati, Brian (Kelli) Phelan of St. Cloud, Florida, David (Carlee) Phelan of Boardman, and Dana (Kevin) Kawahara of Buffalo, New York; a brother, Reid (JoAnn) Phelan; seven grandchildren, Leo, Naomi and Ezra Phelan, Edison and Desmond Kawahara, and Olivia and Hailie Phelan; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Family and friends may call on Thursday, February 15, 2024, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Davis-Becker Funeral Home, 8536 Market Street in Boardman and on Friday, February 16 from 10:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. at St. Charles Borromeo Church, 7345 Westview Drive in Boardman followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m.

Please visit www.beckerobits.com to share memories and send condolences to Rory's family.