Phillip Wheeler Jr., age 63 of Long Branch, departed this life on Saturday September 12, 2020. He was born and raised in Long Branch, NJ to the late Phillip Wheeler Sr. and Delia Johnson. He attended the Long Branch Public School system where he was a student, athlete, ran track and wrestled.
In his early young years Phillip started working at Monmouth Medical Center in the housekeeping department and loved helping others. He became a Security Guard where he excelled at his job and was honored by being the Assistant Security Director. He was a very humble gentle Giant. If you came through the Main Entrance of Monmouth Medical Center regardless if you were a staff member, patient or just someone going to eat breakfast from the cafeteria you were greeted with that infectious smile and giggle. He loved handing out a free parking pass and trust me if you received one from him you knew you were special! He would always have time to have a little conversation with anyone.
In his younger years Phillip was part of the Black informers, this was an organization of young Black men who helped out in the community of Long Branch. These young fellas would put together bus rides, softball games, barbecues and help the young people stay out of trouble. He was known for his role as being a great leader and brother who made sure everyone was always alright.
Phillip loved his children and grandchildren. On any evening or weekend if you were looking for Phillip, he was either at the track of dining out with one of his buddies; especially eating a hoagie sandwich from Fine Fare during his lunch break. He loved attending his grandson Phillip (PJ) Wheeler's basketball games where him and his late brother Clinton were the loudest in the cheering squad!
He worked at St. Barnabas/Monmouth Medical Center for 43 years. Phillip was truly loved by every healthcare, cafeteria, housekeeping and hospitality member in the building. In his honor the flag was flown at half-staff. This just shows you who Mr. Phillip Wheeler Jr. was, his character and mannerism spoke volumes.
Phillip was predeceased by his father Phillip Wheeler Sr., mother Delia Johnson, sisters Beatrice Lassiter, Patricia Johnson, Ruby Wheeler, Phyllis Wheeler, Nancy Wheeler and Marlene Wheeler, brothers Leon Johnson and Clinton Wheeler.
Phillip is survived by his sons Phillip Wheeler III of Eatontown, NJ, Orville Murray (Debbie) of Winter Garden, FL and Shawn Murray of Old Bridge; daughters Nicole Foster (Justin) of Fishers, IN and Michelle Brown (Dwight) of South Plainfield, NJ; grandchildren Tieona Wheeler, Phillip (PJ) Wheeler, Daiseyanna Wheeler, Darwin Foster, Caron Foster, Olivia Foster, London Foster, Arianah, Shyohn, Bellah, Jada, Biatta, Shawn Jr., and Khailani; brother Benjamin Wright of Orlando, FL; sisters Pamela Walley of Alabama and Betty Wedner of Long Branch as well as a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.
To the Wheeler Family,
Words are not enough to express how he made me smile and laugh every morning walking into our lobby, MMC will not be the same, he will be missed, I shed a couple of tears everyday I have to walk by his podium. He was a blessing to those that needed it and authoritarian when he needed to be, I worked with him for 17 of his 43 years here and enjoyed those special moments of conversation and laughter. Keep God first , blessings to you all.
Phil was such a delightful person – a true ray of light to everyone who knew him. His presence is sorely missed. Saying prayers for family and friends. He will always live on in our hearts.
My deepest sympathy to the entire Wheeler family.
I will miss Phil so much – his infectious laugh and his incredible smile. He always made me smile as he sung out my name as I approached him on my way in or out of the building. He was a major part of so many of our lives each day. He will be missed by all of us here at MMC. Rest in peace sir.
Phil,
It just doesn’t feel right waking into the lobby every morning and not seeing you at your post with a warm smile and hearing you announce my arrival with the nickname you gave me. You are gone too soon and will be missed! My deepest sympathies to the Wheeler family. Rest in peace.
I am still having a problem knowing I will not see your smiling face. It seems as just the other day we talked and shared a laugh, I know you will truly be missed by so many of your friends, colleagues, and the community in general. I will always hold you in the highest esteem my friend. My heart and prayers go out to the Wheeler family.
My thoughts and prayers go out to the family of the wonderful Mr. Phil Wheeler. Phil was one of the first people I met when I started working at Monmouth Medical Center many years ago and he has always been one of the kindest. I will never forget his quick smile and greeting every morning. The main lobby was his domain and while he always had a thoughtful hello for everyone, he took his role as protector seriously. We all felt safer when he was there.
It wasn’t long ago that he and I chatted about how we were dealing with COVID. His first thought was always for his kids and grandkids — he was so grateful everyone was healthy. It was wonderful to see his eyes light up when he spoke of his family.
He was the best of us and will be missed at the hospital more than you can imagine.
My thoughts and prayers go out to Phil’s family as well as his MMC family. He always had time for a chat and just seeing him made my day better. His smile was infectious and lit up the lobby! May his memory be eternal!
I’ve been keeping The Wheeler family in my thoughts and prayers. Phil was an enormous bright spot at MMC that made you feel reassured and “at home” the moment he saw you him. In April of this year, I wrote the email below to our Director of Security attempting to convey my appreciation for him and the role he played. I share it in hopes it will bring The Wheelers additional comfort in knowing the impact he had and the difference he made, on a daily basis, for so many us.
April 2020
“In our current situation of nothing usual or normal, I wanted to share what a bright spot Phil Wheeler has been and continues to be. He has greeted me and others each and every time he sees us, with the same calm, kindness and good energy as every other day long before the virus, as if nothing is going on here. He makes it a point to ask how we are and I have also seen him ensuring that whoever doesn’t belong in the building, doesn’t get in. In this world of complete uncertainty, I felt it worth sharing that the having that familiar face and kindness as we walk into the unknown here in the hospital, makes all the difference. Knowing he is there is a nice reassurance on many fronts. I don’t think I’ll ever look at him the same way again.”
My deepest sympathies to the family of Mr. Wheeler. Phil was a kind and gentle soul. He was the smile in the morning that made the day bright. Each morning he made me feel as though I was the most special person. His true gift was the ability to have that impact on all who entered Monmouth Medical Center. He left a void that can not be filled. May your faith sustain you and may the love and prayers of those who care comfort you.
I would like to extend my condolences to Mr. Wheeler’s family.
Phil made my time here at MMC enjoyable and he was one of the first people I was introduced to when I was hired at MMC. He would always greet me every morning with a big smile and we would always joke around about anything&everything especially my love for coffee. He never once forgot my name. His laugh and kindness were infectious. He will be greatly missed and never forgotten.
To the Wheeler Family –
I want to offer you my condolences on your loss of a wonderful man. I worked with Phil for several years at MMC. I left MMC about 10 years ago but would go there on a recurring basis since then. Each and every time I came back I would look forward to seeing Phil in the lobby and be able to spend a few moments to catch up with him.
The last time I saw Phil I told him he was one of the happiest persons I had ever known. With that great smile and humor he agreed saying “What is there not to be happy about!” He always had genuine warmth and welcome for everyone. Surely he had a life that was well-lived. I will miss Phil very much.
What a tremendous loss for all of us at MMC!!! Phil, you will be SO missed. Thank you for welcoming us so warmly in the morning and for “announcing” our arrivals into your walkie-talkie! My heart and deepest condolences go out to his family and to those close to him.
Mr. Wheeler, You were the best thing about everyone’s morning at MMC. Your presence will be missed for a very long time and you are in the hearts of everyone here. Pest in paradise. To the Wheeler family, my thoughts and prayers as you remembers this amazing man. Knowing that he touched so many people is the best legacy you can leave behind.
My thoughts and prayers to the Wheeler family. Monmouth Medical Center will not be the same without him. I’ve known him for almost 30 years now and he was always the same; kind, funny, caring and a pleasure to work with. We were fortunate to have known him and to have worked with him. He will be missed.
My heartfelt sympathies go out to the Wheeler family. He was truly such a special man, a Gentile Giant with whom I called a friend. R.I.P.Phil you will be missed but will never forget.
To Phil’s Family, Very sorry for your loss. I will miss seeing him in the Front Lobby of Monmouth Medical Center. I will remember him as a man that was a very sharp dresser.
As we are now poorer on Earth for having known Phil…Heaven is richer for having gained his spirit!
Having known Phil in my 10 years at Monmouth Medical Center…I will truly miss him.
My thoughts and prayers for his family.
RIP Phil
Phil was a wonderful member of the Monmouth Family. He greeted me with a smile and chuckle every morning. His memory for people and names was remarkable. We were all blessed in knowing him. My deepest sympathies to his loved ones. Rest in peace, Phil.
Rest in peace Phil. You are special person who made an impact on everyone you greeted each day with your warm smile. One of your profound gifts was making everyone feel so welcome while keeping us all safe. I am truly blessed to have known you.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Wheeler family and his friends. I hope you are able to find some peace during this very difficult time.
Our hearts go out to Phil Wheeler’s family. He was a wonderful ambassador for Monmouth Medical Center, where I had the privilege of working with him for nearly 30 years. We all miss him as we walk into the lobby each morning. He brightened everyone’s day by his presence and cheerful greeting.
Miss you Phil, rest in peace.
Rich-Cinical Engineering/Biomed from RWJBH/Liv Tech/GE/ Maintenance Management Corp-many years of enjoying working with you and knowing we were safe whilst at work at MMC…
To the Wheeler Family !
Our deepest sympathy and prayers to all on the loss of our Beloved Brotherly Love Big Brother, Phillip. May the gift of this “Big Giant” continue to inspire you and watch over you. Big Brother Phil will greatly be missed but never forgotten. ❤??⚘
The Little Tokens of Love Sisters ,
Marion Warren, Elinor Goddard, Debra Sapp, Cheryl Reeves, Robin Henson, Leslie Sweet, Jinny Alexander, Pam Pleasant-Alleyne, Patricia Able, Connie Bynum-Vaungh, Alice Gaskins, Andrea Ivory, Tinamarie Tardiolo and Yvonne Stovall, deceased.
You will be truly missed, my friend. You were the face of MMC and I always enjoyed chatting it up with you when I worked in Cranmer ASC. God bless and R.I.P.
My thoughts & prayers goes out to Mr Wheeler’s family. He truly was one great truly wonderful man & will be miss every morning at MMC.
when i first met Mr Wheeler, was because I got a ticket, not parking where I was suppose to do, After that day, we became , what I thought was good friends, Every day I worked , he would fondly talk to me, When I just retired in May after 32 yrs (RN) I was worried I wouldn’t be able to see him to say ‘good-bye’ But i did, He will be missed by many workers there. Old & new, & the older retirees & the new ones too. Rest in Peace, Phil