Sprinkler Age A Publication of the American Fire Sprinkler Association
INDUSTRY VETERAN DEDICATED TO FIRE PROTECTION
Members and staff of the American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) were saddened to learn of the passing of William “Bill” R. Phair, of Cornwall, New York, who was an area sales manager for AFSA Associate Member Ferguson Fire & Fabrication and was an active member of the American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA), where he served as a member of AFSA’s Public Education & Awareness Committee and was recently elected as chair of its Manufacturers/Suppliers (M/S) Council. He was also an active member of the National Fire Sprinkler Association (NFSA).
Phair passed away on September 25, 2023, in Saint Arnoult, France. He was 68 years old. He was the son of the late William R. Phair and Margaret (McCabe) Phair and was born on December 2, 1954, in St. Albans, Queens, New York. In addition to his mother, he is survived by his loving wife Ellen (Auffredou) Phair; his daughters Raquel “Kelly” Hogan and her husband Andre, and Jessica Phair and her fiancé Michael Niekamp; his son William Phair and his wife April; his grandchildren Lennox and William (Liam) Hogan and Ryleigh Niekamp; his sister Patricia (Phair) Tinelli and fiancé Kevin; his brother Stephen Phair and his wife Cindy; sisters-in-law; brothers-in-law; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his father, Phair was predeceased by his brother, Christopher Phair.
“Bill was a true industry professional. With every discussion or interaction, his first response was always, ‘How can I assist?’ He never ran from an issue but instead openly embraced it as an opportunity,” comments AFSA Vice President of Engineering & Technical Services John August Denhardt, P.E., FSFPE, and M/S Council staff liaison. “He was a great professional who gave of himself with a warm and friendly servant’s heart. I can only aspire to be like Bill. God bless Bill and his family. We will not forget him.”
A Mass of Christian Burial for Phair was held on October 14 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Newburgh, New York. Interment followed the Mass at Cedar Hill Cemetery, Newburgh, New York. Memorial contributions in Phair’s name may be made to Autism Speaks, Donations Processing Center, P.O. Box 37148, Boone, IA 50037-0148.
