Irving “Skip” Phifield passed away peacefully in his sleep on Thursday, August 13, 2026, following a short illness in Dover, Delaware.
Skip spent his early years growing up in Newport, Rhode Island. As a teenager, he worked in several restaurants, where he discovered his passion for cooking. That passion led him to attend Johnson & Wales Culinary School in 1974. Skip loved being a chef and took great pride in his work by sharing his love of food with others. He put himself through culinary school driving a school bus and he proudly maintained his CDL license throughout his life. Skip had another passion – his love of motorcycles – Harley Davidsons to be exact! Nothing made him happier than to be on his bike.
Skip welcomed his daughters, Kelly Ann in 1978 and Amy Catherine in 1988. He always said how much he loved being their dad. His girls were his greatest joy.
Skip will be remembered most for his deep love of family, his sharp wit, his generous spirit and his remarkable ability to make everyone he met fall in love with him.
Skip was predeceased by the love of his life, Dawn Phifield, whom he married in 2014.
He is survived by his 100-year-old mother, Kay Phifield; his sister, Kathy Robbins (Gary); his daughters, Kelly Jorgensen (Nick) and Amy Hulse (Chris); his granddaughters, Nevaeh Kathleen and Anna Kay; and his grandson, Joseph Peter.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a future date in Newport, Rhode Island, where Skip’s ashes will be scattered at his favorite spot.
Skip will be sincerely missed by so many and his memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.
