Phillip Stephen McCoy

Phil was born on August 3, 1953, in Fullerton, California, to Walter and Henrietta (Roberts) McCoy, of Buena Park. He was welcomed to the family as the fifth child. He was the little brother to Carol Ann (McCoy) Bliss the oldest sister, Robert Joseph McCoy the oldest brother, Michael Dennis McCoy the middle brother (who preceded him to Heaven in October of 2011), Rose Mary (McCoy) Hudson the middle sister, and was later joined by the sixth child, Judith Patricia McCoy, the baby sister of the Irish-American Catholic family.

Phil was raised in Southern California, first in Buena Park then later moved to Orange. After high school, he worked as a professional costumer at Hudson's Costume Shop, owned by his sister Carol, in Long Beach, California. He prided himself on being "Master of the Uniforms". He achieved an abundance of self-taught knowledge of military uniforms and insignias from all periods in history. He was known for watching movies and laughing when the movie's costume department had the audacity to use a uniform that was unauthentic.

In later years, he worked for Goodwill in various capacities. After his mother's and then father's deaths, he sold the family house, the place he called home for almost 40 years, and left California. He then resided in Oregon, Kansas, and finally settled in Austin, Texas, near his sister Rose.

Phil enjoyed Austin and the happiness it brought him. In 2013, he met a beautiful and selfless woman named Deborah Beresky. They became wonderful partners who enjoyed life together and lovingly cared for one another. Phil also found companionship in his little dog Zoey whom he had by his side for almost 17 years. Zoey preceded him to the Rainbow Bridge in October 2016.

Phil had quite the adventurous spirit. In his younger years he found pleasure in taking his niece and nephews on trips. The California beaches, mountains, and Carlsbad Caverns were a few of his favorites, but train rides were his most prized activity. Anyone who knew Phil knew that trains were a true passion of his. He facilitated a hobby of building model trains of which he ultimately grew an impressive collection. More recently, he and Deborah had the pleasure of taking a voyage through the scenic Texas Hill Country on a vintage steam-powered train.

We now mourn his passing yet celebrate his life and his last train ride to Heaven.

I'll ride that last train to heaven

On rails of solid gold

In a boxcar lined with satin

Where the nights are never cold

Where a hobo's always welcome

Even in his ragged clothes

I'll ride that last train to heaven

When the final whistle blows.

~ Boxcar Willie, Last Train to Heaven

A Memorial Mass will be held at 10:00 AM, on Monday, April 10, 2017, at Saint Ignatius Martyr Catholic Church at 126 W. Oltorf St., Austin, TX 78704. A private interment is scheduled for a later date.