Philip Brabant Jr.

Philip Brabant was a loving husband, father, and grandfather who set a shining example of the values of hard work and rugged independence. Philip Brabant, 83, of Jacksonville, FL, died on December 16, 2025, after a long battle with cancer.

He was born in Brooklyn, NY in 1942 to Philip and Christina, who raised six children in a working-class neighborhood. Philip learned the value of work at a young age, selling pretzels to earn spending money for the movies and other activities. Special summer weekends were spent at Coney Island, where Christina would take the Brabant kids, as well as other neighborhood kids on the subway to the famous amusement park and beach. Philip graduated from Bushwick high school in 1961 before joining the Air Force. As a firefighter in the US Air Force from 1961 to 1965, Philip cemented his love of his country and the freedoms that come with it. Philip met his beloved, Annlouise Rivers in 1967 at the urging of his brother John and her brother Eddie. They quickly fell in love. Excited to start their new lives together, the two were married on May 17, 1969. Philip and Annlouise’s marriage was a model for all who witnessed what the combination of love, partnership and respect can create. Philip and Annlouise were blessed with two children, Keith and Darlene. Their commitment to their children lasted throughout their days, always available with a helping hand or sage advice.

Though he loved tinkering on all things, some of Philip’s proudest moments came as being grandparent. He treasured his time with his grandkids, frequently traveling with Aiden, admiring Evie’s artwork, and reveling in Izzie’s athletic achievements. Philip was a self-made man, starting his own welding business in 1974, then opening a full-service repair shop, and ultimately starting a new business in Florida in 1982. Philip continued to provide mobile welding services through the 1990’s, and ultimately shifted to the healthcare sector in the early 2000’s, where he became a maintenance mechanic at Memorial Hospital, retiring in 2022 at 80 years old!

Philip is lovingly remembered as an American patriot, and the way that he would exclaim, God Bless America at any moment. We couldn’t have asked for a better dad and will miss him every day. His memory will live on in the hearts of all those who knew him.

Philip was preceded in death by his wife, Annlouise.

He is survived by his children, Keith and Darlene; daughter-in-law, April; and grandchildren, Evelyn, Elizabeth, and Aiden.

A visitation will be held at Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home, located at 11801 San Jose Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32223, on December 30, 2025, from 1 pm to 2 pm. The funeral service will follow at 2:00 pm.

A committal service will take place at Jacksonville National Cemetery, 4083 Lannie Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32218, on December 31, 2025, at 10:30 am.