It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Joseph “Joe” Phelan of Punta Gorda, Florida, and Madison on Oct. 30, 2024, at the age of 74.

Joe was born on Long Island, New York, and spent many years living in various towns of Long Island, as most of his family lived in the New York area. After graduating from Fairleigh Dickinson University, Madison, New Jersey, he worked as a teacher, first at the Montessori School in Larchmont NY, then in the East Williston School District, where he met Linda, his wife of 47 years. During that time, he earned a master’s degree in marine biology. After ten years of teaching, Joe changed his career path and became an FBI agent working in New Orleans, Long Island, and New York City. He retired after 23 years of service. The next chapter of his life brought Joe and Linda to Newport, Vermont, where he started a company that renovated houses and then rented them. Joe loved construction. He was able to use his sense of creativity and problem-solving to fix up houses that were in dire need of renovation. While in Vermont, Joe was active with the Rotary. He always admired the people who were part of this wonderful organization and the way they were able to give back to the community.

Joe was known for his strong family ties. No matter how busy he was, he always made time for the people he cared about. He was so proud of his children and their spouses: Rachel (and John), Jennifer (and Mason), Joey (and Colleen), as well as his five grandchildren: Veronica, Ava, Joseph, Finley, and Jana. They were the light of his life, and he was always quite impressed with their accomplishments.

Joe was passionate about politics and enjoyed a lively debate among family. He was also an excellent cook who loved to prepare meals for large parties and did so with ease. Joe had a soft spot for animals, especially for his “grand-dog” Lily. She brought him lots of comfort in the latter years.

Joe enjoyed boating in Florida, Connecticut, and Long Island. In his earlier years, he was an avid camper, hiker, and skier. He loved the outdoors.

He is survived by his wife, his children, and his grandchildren, as well as his brother Don and sisters, Beth, Nina, Janet, and Winnie. Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Don and Lillian; his uncles, Al, Paul, and Andy; his aunts, Gay, Trudie, Winifred, and Eileen; and his cousins, Darcy, Barbara, David, Paul, and Kyle.

Funeral Mass beginning at 9:30 a.m. will be on Saturday, Dec. 7, at St. Margaret’s Church, Madison, followed by a celebration of life at the Surf Club in Madison, then a procession to Elm Grove Cemetery, Mystic, to his final resting place.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Joe’s name. https://www.stjude.org.