Constantinos “Costa” A. Phillips (formerly Phillipou), 88 of Oakland, NJ, died in his home, surrounded by family, on Wednesday February 2^nd.

He was born on January 15, 1935 in the small village of Kato Idrousa, in the mountains near Florina, Greece.  He lived there with his parents Athanasios and Chrisoula Phillipou, brothers Giannis and Lazo, and sister Stella until he and his cousin set off for Australia by themselves as teenagers.

Aside from having to change his name from Phillipou to Phillips to find work, he built a very good life in Adelaide, South Australia and was able to help support his family back home in Greece. Starting penniless working on the docks, he worked his way into real estate and later ventured into the beauty salon business providing him the ability to live in a house by the water and own several legendary cars.

None of that however, held any further appeal once he met the love of his life, Tsambica “Jean” Papastamatis.  He met her while she vacationed with her family in Australia in 1970 and fell madly in love.  Within a year, he sold everything he had, moved to America, married Jean, started a new life and never looked back.  He loved, cared for and doted on her every day of her life.

While living in a small apartment in Bellville, NJ, Jean and Costa built a house together from scratch in Sayreville, NJ.   Just as the home was completed in 1976, it welcomed their first-born Chrisoula (“Chrissy”) and later their son Michael in 1979.  They lived in that home for 42 years, filling it to the rafters with joyful memories.    In 2018, when their health began to falter, Chrissy welcomed them both into her home in Oakland, NJ where they would each live until their last day.

His brothers and sisters-in-law — Peter, Demetria, George, Maria, Loula and Charlie — became his family in the U.S and he loved their children and grand-children as his own.

Costa held many and varied professions over his lifetime starting as a shepherd and working his way to becoming an owner of several businesses including deli/convenience store, gas station and diner.  His relentless drive and keen business sense turned each into a success. Unable to sit still in retirement, in his 70s he went back to school to obtain his real estate license, working for Century 21, Worden and Green Real Estate.

Costa was a devoted member of Kimisis Tis Theotokou Greek Orthodox Church in Holmdel, NJ.  His love of the Church runs back to the start, when services were held at Beers Street School.  He stood proudly with his family at the groundbreaking of the new church and celebrated his happiest moments within its four walls, including the weddings of his two children, the christenings of several grandchildren, and many more milestones in the life and improvement of the church. He served on the parish council for years, chaired the building committee and oversaw many major projects including the consecration of the church, renovation of the entrance and especially his beloved iconography.

He was an avid gardener, growing beautiful roses and trophy-worthy cucumbers. And loved nothing more than coming to his grandchildren’s sporting events, his booming voice unmistakably shouting words of encouragement (and an occasional Greek word or two for the other side) from behind the glass at the hockey rink.

He shared a love of cars and James Bond movies with his son, Michael, making frequent pilgrimages to the New York City Car Show and keeping the tradition of never watching a new Bond movie until they could watch it together.

His daughter, Chrissy was a source of endless pride, inheriting his keen business mind and endless energy and will power.

He was never a man of many words, but showed his love through deeds, whether a well-built set of stairs, a picture-perfect rose, or a showroom-level detailed car.

He was predeceased by his wife of 49 years, Tsambica “Jean” Phillips, who died in 2020.  Surviving are his children and their spouses, Michael and Stephanie Phillipou of Mountainside NJ and Chrisoula “Chrissy” and Gregory Toskos of Oakland, NJ; and his five grandchildren Kyra, Constantine “Dean”, and Andrew Toskos and Sofia and Isabel Phillipou.

Visitation will be held on Monday, February 6th at 10 am until the time of the mass at 11 am at Kimisis Tis Theotokou Greek Orthodox Church, 20 Hillcrest Road, Holmdel.  Interment will follow at Greenwood Cemetery, Brielle.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Costa’s memory to his beloved church, Kimisis Tis Theotokou, Holmdel, NJ: https://osvhub.com/kimisis-tis-theotokou-grk-orth/giving/funds.

To share a memory or send a message of condolence please visit Costas page of tributes at www.holmdelfuneralhome.com