Philip Sommer

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Husband, Father, Grandfather, and Great Grandfather, Phil Sommer. If a man is measured by the way he loves, cares for, and protects his family, then Phil is a GIANT amongst men.

Always leading by example, Phil taught us that love is a constant action. If you ever needed help, you never had to ask him because he was already there. His help never came with expectation. It was genuinely given, asking nothing in return. With his help you had someone who showed up early, worked hard, and always made sure you had fun through it all.

A legacy of laughter. To know Phil means you are left with memories that will still bring a smile to your face and heart, and STILL make you fall over with laughter. His comedy, and the impact he made on all the lives he touched are timeless.

We can sit here and talk about his love of playing the horses, or how baseball scouts used to come and watch him pitch while he was still in high school. We can talk about his love of painting, and the 16 tattoos he did on himself. We can even talk about his love of playing golf, and his honesty in not being the best of players. But the best way to talk about Phil is to talk about his love of all of his girls.

First is his favorite girl. His Wife. His life. His breath. His love of 60+ years, Chris. She was everything to him. They complimented each other so beautifully. They took care of each other so tenderly. Phil and Chris built a life of love, laughter, and everlasting memories with family, friends, and travels with both. They established roots in New York, and Florida where their lives blossomed and flourished with all those blessed to know them. The day his wife transitioned home to Heaven in early 2025 changed him for the rest of his days on earth. His sparkle that lit up every room he entered started to dull. He missed her with every breath, and each beat of his shattered heart.

The sparkle remained in his eyes for his daughters, Tina and Lori. He spoke of them with such pride knowing that the best parts of him and Chris were within each of them. Those sparkling eyes glistened more for his Granddaughters, Jacqueline and Julia. He lived for the memories he and Chris created for them as kids with their silliness, his made-up games, and his teaching them how to fish. He stayed in awe of the women they grew up to be. If eyes could glisten even more, they most certainly did when his Great Granddaughter, Saylor, and Great Grandson, Rowan, came into the world. They gave him his sparkle back anytime he saw or talked about them. In the last year of his life, they were his smile.

Phil grew through life with brothers that he admired and adored, sister-in-law’s that he treasured, nieces and nephews that he considered his own children, and a son/grandson-in-law that he was grateful for in the way they loved and protected his girls (and great grandson). That’s not to mention his many friends that became family, and all their children. Phil made friends wherever he went. Whether you were family, or whether you were a friend, If Phil loved you, then he would move Heaven and earth to protect, and help you.

I don’t know how we will live in a world without his physical presence…. But I do know the world was a better place because Phil Sommer was in it. May we all be inspired to keep his spirit alive in helping others before they ask.