Harry Walter Phillips, Jr.
August 5, 1924 – July 22, 2009
A longtime La Jolla resident and businessman, Harry Walter Phillips was born at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, where his father was a park ranger. His family moved to California when he was young and he grew up in the then small community of Encinitas, graduating from San Dieguito High school in 1942. He entered the US Army Air Corps as a Second Lieutenant in 1943, became a P-51 pilot, and served his nation proudly during the war years.
Harry attended UCLA, where he received his Bachelors degree in Engineering in 1949.
Growing up, Harry had never expected to become a florist, however, his mother Adelaide had started a flower business in 1936 along highway 101 in Encinitas and when the town of La Jolla ask her to open a shop in the small enclave by the sea, she jump at the chance. Adelaide asked her son Harry to open the business and in 1949, that was the beginning of the second Flowers by Adelaide. Over time, the entire operation was moved to La Jolla and Harry bought out his Mother’s share in the business in 1974, he leased the space next door and modernized the look of the store in order to grow Adelaide’s into the successful small business model it is today. Creative with a sharp sense of business skills, Harry was a trendsetter in the floral industry, always on the cutting edge. The family is now carrying on with the wishes of their father, and Adelaide’s is now a third generation family business.
A family man active in community affairs, an avid hunter and outdoorsman, Harry was the recipient of numerous awards honoring his philanthropy, most notably to the Rotary Foundation.
His wife and children surrounded Harry at home when he left to be with God. He passed peacefully after a four year battle with Lewy Body Dementia.
A celebration of his life will be held at Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church, 7713 Girard Avenue in La Jolla on Sunday, August 2, 2009, at 3:30 pm.
Donations may be made in memory of Harry Phillips to the San Diego Hospice c/o Foundation at 4311 Third Avenue. San Diego, CA 92103.
