Bernard E. McPhail, Jr.

Bernard (Ben) E. McPhail Jr., 81, passed away peacefully at home, on Saturday, October 19th with his loving family by his side. Born and raised in Newburyport, Ben was the son of Rachel (Cutter) McPhail and Bernard McPhail Sr. He was a graduate of Newburyport High School and Salem State College. After College, he joined the US Navy as a Seabee. When he returned home from his service, he started a local tax business which he maintained in the community for over 50 years. Ben was a natural entrepreneur who loved serving people. His clients and friends respected his work ethic and loved him for his compassion and humor and so they stayed with him for years. He happily worked alongside his wife Susan, son Jason, and his beloved dog JJ. In addition to the tax business, Ben had the vision to start a local Men’s clothing store “A Little Bit of Naples” at the Tannery in Newburyport. Ben and Sue’s second home in Naples was Ben’s “happy place” and he and his wife loved entertaining family and friends there, including his sister and his nephew David and his family.

Any time Ben had was quickly filled up with the joy of spending free time with his loving family including his wife Susan, his son Jason, daughter in law Jessica, and grandchildren, Ava and Ben. Ben’s greatest joy was watching his son grow up to become a loving and dedicated husband and father to his own young family. Ben also made time for other special people in his life including his lifelong friends and “buddies” that he met in Vietnam, Ray Geschke of New Mexico and Ron (Bud) Simms of California. Ben, Ray, and Bud spoke on the phone weekly and travelled together every year, spending time together and always honoring the unbreakable bond they created over 50 years ago. Ben and Susan also generously shared their time spending 30 years of holidays in RI with niece Lynne and her family enjoying delicious meals at the dinner table, talking, laughing, entertaining everyone and creating fun and happy memories for all.

Ben had a fun and adventurous spirit, enjoying the water and the New England coastline while sailing on his and Susan’s boat “Liberty” with many of his closest friends and family. If you had the privilege of hearing Ben share his life stories with you, you knew that every one of them would be filled with Ben’s sense of humor and quick wit; and laughter was always the highlight of that experience.

Ben is survived by his loving wife of 40 years, Susan, his dedicated and loving son and daughter in law Jason and Jessica McPhail, and his two beautiful grandchildren, Ben and Ava McPhail of Haverhill. He also leaves his brother David and wife Jan of Rye, NH, his sister Susan Wagoner of Naples, FL, along with many nieces, nephews, and cousins whom he loved dearly. He was also the brother of the late Peter McPhail.

With respect to Ben’s humble nature and in accordance with his wishes, services will be private. Donations in honor of Bernard E. McPhail, Jr. may be made to The Veterans Legacy Initiative, 331 High Street, Newburyport, MA 01950 or Beth Israel Lahey Health, Office of Philanthropy, Gift Processing Center, 529 Main Street, Suite 400, Charlestown, MA 02129 or online at https://bilhathome.org/giving. Arrangements were entrusted to Paul C. Rogers Family Funeral Home, 2 Hillside Avenue, Amesbury, MA 01913.