Born: January 28, 1924
Died: May 06, 2016
Philip Ford Nieukirk Fanning, a long time resident of Unionville Pennsylvania, passed peacefully at the age of 92 on Friday, May 6th, 2016 at Neighborhood Hospice in West Chester, PA after a brief illness.
Known to his friends as Phil, he was born January 28th, 1924 in Philadelphia, the son of Francis Edward Fanning and Rachael (Ray) Nieukirk Fanning. He was predeceased by his sister Grace (Pat) Lloyd Fanning Tomkins. He had a long, happy marriage to Joy (Jill) Landreth Fanning, who passed away in March of 2003. He was also predeceased by his most recent wife, Adele Aerosmith Fanning, a childhood friend whom he reconnected with later in life.
Mr. Fanning is survived by his son James R.H. Fanning (and his wife Amy and their three daughters Becca, Lizzy and Lydia) of Ipswich, Massachusetts, his daughter Rebecca F. Splaine (and her husband Jeremiah) of Sun Valley, Idaho, and his youngest daughter Carol (Mini) F. Young (and her husband Marvin (Marty) and their three children Philip, Devon and Caroline) of Unionville, Pennsylvania.
He was proud serving his country in World War II and was awarded a Purple Heart. After returning home, Phil attended Princeton University where he was a member the Ivy Club. He was also a member of the Pennsylvania Horse Breeders Association. He was an avid Fox hunter and thoroughbred horse racing enthusiast. One of his greatest accomplishments was winning the Maryland Hunt Cup aboard Ned’s Flying in 1958. Phil treasured the wide open spaces and conserved land of his beloved Chester County, Pennsylvania.
There will be a memorial service in his honor at 10:00 am on Monday, June 6th, 2016 at Christ Epsicopal Church, 305 Main Street, Riverton, New Jersey 08077 to be followed by a reception at his home. He is being buried at a small family burial at Harleigh Cemetery in Pennsauken, NJ, where he will be surrounded by his grandfather, mother, sister, Jill and Adele, along with many other beloved family members.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to The Pennsylvania Horse Breeders Association, 701 East Baltimore Pike #E, Kennett Square, PA 19348 and/or to the Neighborhood Hospice, 400 East Marshall St, West Chester, PA 19380. Condolonces may be sent to the family at www.weberfuneralhomeinc.com Arrangements by the Weber Funeral Home, 112 Broad Street, Riverton, NJ 08077.