Am in shock....I dont understand..One minute he is representing a case for hernandez out of hawaii the next he dies there..

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

I miss my grandpa more than words can even begin to say. I really looked up to him, and my life would be completely different without him. I wish so badly that he could come back, or I could at least have one more conversation with him. I still have so much to say.

I am very sorry to learn of Phil's passing today. He and his great stories about practicing law greatly inspired me to go to law school and become a lawyer. He was brilliant and tenacious. I remember he once told me could paper the walls of his office with his denials of cert to the US Supreme Court. He made it there though and his case was in my criminal procedure text book as a seminal and precedent-setting case on double jeopardy. He was a great man. My sincerest condolences to each member of his family. Robyn Monroe Glaser (fka Robin R. Williams)

phil was my mentor in the 80's and a friend he will be missed i worked with phil on several cases early in my career even after i moved to tahoe.

Phil was a wonderful person.  I knew him while at Dana Junior High School and Pt. Loma High.  I frequently saw him at the San Diego Yacht Club, where he, Terry, Paul, and I would spend a lot of time, especially in the summer.  He was bright, fun, and a good friend.  He will be missed by many, including me.

Don't worry be happy.  I am so saddened.  Rest in peace good man.

I have just learned of Phil's passing and want to extend my heartfelt condolences.
I had the distinct pleasure of working for Phil my first 5 years out of law school and no doubt participated in many of the 'war stories' of which Phil recalled so fondly. I tell those stories myself and people shake their heads, often in disbelief.
Phil was a brilliant trial lawyer. He was relentless in his commitment to defending his clients. He had me chase down leads and conduct research in areas that, at the time, seemed so unrelated, but as our trial unfolded, this evidence often turned cases in our favor. 
I learned that you can never over prepare a case, and that working with a jury was truly an art form. Phil had all the people skills that jury's truly related to.
Most of all, I was impressed with Phil's stamina and his ability to keep a detached perspective, while the intense stress and chaos of a case was crashing down on us. 
He was a great Captain of the ship. A life well lived amigo!

I miss my husband, we had 17yrs together!  I miss the wor stories, is what we would call them, he would tell them over and over! What I would do to hear them again!

I miss my grandpa. Phil is a huge inspiration to me and i will always look him to him.

Phil was a giant.

I worked for him briefly one Summer many years ago.  He was a brilliant trial lawyer, a superb human being, and a lover of life.  

I will always treasure my brief time with him.

This will probably sound like a cliche, and I apologize for it, but I suspect that he passed exactly as he would have desired, in the midst of doing something about which he was passionate.

My condolences to his family.

Phil, with your biting sense of humor, yet big-hearted sense of love and compassion for your family (Oona included), friends, clients, and others.....you will be missed.

Please accept our deepest sympathies for your loss of Phil.  He was always so caring and considerate whenever we met and will be greatly missed in this world.  Know that you are in our thoughts and prayers, even though we can't be with you at this time.  Love, Chris, Susan and Reganne Cuddohy

Departed too soon.  Phil DeMassa will always be remembered for his expert advice and help at a pivotal time in my life.  My heartfelt sympathy to his family.

We are deeply saddened by his death  we send are condolences to the family. I will always remember you TOCAYO, the passion you showed for your job, the respect and loyalty for your clients, will not be forgotten.

I am truly heartbroken to hear the news of Philip's passing.  Felipe, (as I called him) was more than a friend, he was an amazing attorney and mentor.  I met Phil about 15 years ago. I was a young mother who thought the world had ended and had given up hope.  Phil believed in me and encouraged me to follow my dreams.  He always said, "I was a diamond that needed to be polished." He recruited me to work on several cases with him and travel with him to interpret. We shared many laughs along the way in addition to his words of wisdom. He helped make me into the woman I am today, and for that I am eternally grateful. His passing has not only left a void in my heart, but in all the hearts of those who knew and loved him. Rest in peace my dear Felipe, you will never be forgotten. My deepest heartfelt condolences to the DeMassa Family.

Dear DeMassa Family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. May you find the comfort and peace at this time. 

~Mr. & Mrs. Angel Bueno

I had the pleasure of reporting for Phil in French Polynesia and spent a week on Bora Bora with his beautiful family.  His warm smile, sense of humor and skill as an attorney made him a great advocate for his clients and a joy to work with.  He will be deeply missed....

"God Bless you for all the good things you did for our family" The Bueno's Family has a huge respect for you!!!! We will always remember you!!!

I recall Philip from our days at Silvergate Elementary school in Point Loma. He was a great kid, friendly, funny and smart. I followed his successful career and am very sadden with his passing. My condolences to his loving family.

To the DeMassa Family:
I knew Mr. DeMassa from his court appearances in our Superior Court trial department. He was a skilled attorney with a great sense of humor.
I know that he will be missed by his loving family and by his family in the legal community.
May God bless Philip and his family.

To the DeMassa family,
Shocked is the understatement when i got the news. I had just finished working on a motion to get Phil admitted in the Minnesota Supreme court when Carmen called.Phil was a class act and one hell of a lawyer. Not only was he fearless but he was smart and could really write. It was my pleasure to work with him. I know he loved his family and I know you will miss him.
Peace
p.s. i love the picture

OBITUARY

Philip Arthur DeMassa

March 24, 1945 – May 27, 2012

Glen Abbey Memorial Park & Mortuary

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