Alan Murray Phipps, 83, an Ashland native and Framingham resident, died Saturday, September 17, 2016 after a lingering illness. Devoted husband, loving father, and faithful Catholic, Mr. Phipps was the son of Kathleen and W. Murray Phipps.  He is survived by his loving wife of 59 years Maureen (Doran) Phipps, his sister Ann (Phipps) Foley and her husband Harold of South Hadley, his four children M. Lisa Phipps of Santa Fe, NM, Kate Phipps Fitzpatrick and her husband Paul of Holliston, Daniel T. Phipps and his wife Deena of Framingham, and Michael A. Phipps of Boulder, CO, and two grandchildren Molly Fitzpatrick of Waltham and Colleen Fitzpatrick of Holliston.  A 1950 graduate of Ashland High School, Mr Phipps graduated from Harvard College with a degree in chemistry in 1954.  He served in the U.S. Army, 86th Medical Co., 10th Division.  He later received a Master of Science from Northeastern University and a Ph.D. in chemistry from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.  He began his career at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, served as Assistant Professor of Chemistry at Boston College, and worked the remainder of his career at the Gillette Company of South Boston.  He became Principal Scientist and was awarded numerous patents prior to his retirement in 1995.

Mr. Phipps was an avid reader and collector.  He was well-known for his encyclopedic knowledge, his love of literature, his vast collections, and his 10,000 volume library.  He was a man who preferred home to any place else, although he traveled widely throughout his life.  He was proud of his children, and in later years enjoyed weekly family night with his wife, children, and grandchildren as long as he was able.  Visitation is scheduled from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 20th at Matarese Funeral Home, 325 Main Street,  Ashland.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Mary's Church, 8 Church Street, Holliston at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 21st with burial to follow in Mt. Auburn Cemetery in Hopkinton.

Expressions of sympathy may be made in Mr. Phipps' name to the Sons of Mary, 567 Salem End Road, Framingham, MA 01702.