{"id":11559147,"date":"2025-07-16T05:00:42","date_gmt":"2025-07-16T09:00:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.baltimoresun.com\/?p=11559147"},"modified":"2025-07-17T10:41:21","modified_gmt":"2025-07-17T14:41:21","slug":"george-parker-phillips-iii-dies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.baltimoresun.com\/2025\/07\/16\/george-parker-phillips-iii-dies\/","title":{"rendered":"George Parker Phillips III, founder and operator of Phillips’ Harbour House in Annapolis, dies"},"content":{"rendered":"

George Parker Phillips III, who founded and operated Phillips’ Harbour House in Annapolis and fostered the development of the City Dock, died July 8 of complications from old age at the Life Care Center of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. The former Wardour resident was 96.<\/p>\n

Born in Baltimore and raised on Glenmore Avenue in Hamilton, he was the son of George Parker Phillips Jr., a produce broker and his wife, Ann Marie Guerloff. He was a Baltimore City College graduate and earned a bachelor\u2019s degree in history from Loyola University Maryland. He wrestled and was soccer team captain.<\/p>\n

After briefly working for his father in the wholesale produce business, Mr. Phillips joined the Marriott Corp. and worked at its Hot Shoppes in the Washington, D.C., metro area. He was part of the opening crew of the Twin Bridges Marriott, an early development of the firm.<\/p>\n

On March 2, 1960, he opened George Phillips’ Harbour House on the Annapolis City Dock. He sold the business in October 1995.<\/p>\n

“A skeptical Annapolis person said he wouldn’t last six months,” said his daughter, Cora Stewart. “My father bought a piece of land that was then known as Hell’s Point. Annapolitans said it was a rough part of town and they didn’t think people would want to go there to dine. My father said it had a good view across the water and parking.”<\/p>\n

She also said, “My father’s restaurant was a catalyst for the development of the City Dock.”<\/p>\n

“My father was outgoing, jovial and hardworking,” his daughter said. “He was a mentor to all the young people who worked at the restaurant over the years.”<\/p>\n

She said the restaurant was an immediate success. He enlarged the restaurant and added a terrace. He also had Brendan’s fine dining at the same site.<\/p>\n

At a time when Annapolis restaurants were racially segregated, Mr. Phillips stated his restaurant would welcome any diner.<\/p>\n

His son, Glenn Phillips, said, “My father was a strong supporter of social justice, and a pioneer of DEI before it was defined… He opened the first integrated restaurant in Annapolis and the Black community showed their loyalty until he closed the doors. He hired dining and kitchen staff from all walks of life.”<\/p>\n

“He also embraced the watermen who came into the harbor and built up that section of the City Dock to be a place that people would enjoy,” his son Glenn said.<\/p>\n