Philip Francis Hort, Jr entered eternal rest on the 12th of May 2018 at Country Meadows Retirement Community in York, Pennsylvania; he was 95 years old. Philip was buried with full military honors at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery on the 15th of May 2018.
An avid fisherman, Philip is survived by his wife of 73 years, and greatest catch, Eleanor "Myrt" (née Selsor); his sister, Ann DiDonato; his children Dianne Grubb (Robert) and Philip III (Doris); his grandchildren Kimberly Jessen (Joel), Glenn Grubb (Genevieve), Jennifer Sellek (Jesse), and Cyndy Hort; his nieces Linda Dewey (Danny) and Susan Cush; and his great-grandchildren Annalise Sotelo (Angel), Isaac, Abigail and Maddie Jessen, Liam and Anderson Grubb and Isabel Solano.
Philip grew up in Philadelphia where he met Eleanor at the age of 14. He excelled in swimming and had received a full scholarship to Ohio State University but left high school in 12th grade to help support his family by repairing adding machines. He proudly served his country in the Pacific Theater of World War II aboard the USS Kitkun Bay. In the USNR he was a tail gunner and held the rank of AOM 2nd Class on a TBM Avenger. Over the years Philip would regale his family with amusing anecdotes from his adventures at sea. Philip returned to adding machines repair until 1961. He then worked as a guard at the House of Correction in Philadelphia until his first retirement in 1980. After vacationing with his bride in the US Virgin Islands, Philip and Eleanor returned to the islands to work for much of the 1980s at Maho Bay Campground on the island of St. John. He briefly retired a second time to return to work at Estate Concordia on the other side of the island.
Philip finally truly retired and spent a few years traveling with his bride before settling down in Sanford, Florida at Twelve Oaks RV Resort. There Philip enjoyed fishing with his buddy Slim, the blue heron. He had many adventures on the Wekiva River including the day he shared peanut butter crackers with a wild monkey and on another day rescued an owl from entanglement in fishing line. Philip and Eleanor spent many years in Florida before moving to Pennsylvania to be near their daughter. During their five years at Country Meadows Philip enjoyed assisting with social activities. He mentored and read to first graders and helped host the weekly Wine Before Dine event. Philip was much loved by the staff.
Philip was an animated storyteller and will be remembered for his many one-liners as well as his fondness for, and uncanny ability to befriend, animals. Most of all Philip will be remembered for his love and devotion to his bride.
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