Philip Keith Sharpe

Philip K. Sharpe was a sturdy, solid man. Born in 1927, Phil grew up in a rough-and-tumble Detroit neighborhood with his twin, Stan. Both brothers had stories of suffering a sock or two from neighborhood ruffians after being mistaken for the other. Growing up, Phil and Stan enjoyed boxing and hockey, listening to ball games on the radio.

At the tender age of 16, Phil married Lorraine Olszewski. For the next 62 years, Phil and Lorraine rode the roller coaster of life together. Military service, the birth and raising of four children, the untimely death of one…Phil and Lorraine endured it all.

Even in life’s less-than-perfect moments, Phil was always generous with the hugs, quick with the one-liners. He could frequently be heard saying, “I love ya’ baby” to one of his kids, grandkids, or great grandkids. When Phil and Lorraine lost their daughter, Carol to cancer in 1999, it broke their hearts. When Phil lost Lorraine in 2006, he was inconsolable for a long, long time. Still, for the next 8 years, he managed to smile and laugh, to get to know his grandbabies and great grandbabies, to love and be loved.

Phil leaves behind an incredible legacy. He is survived by 3 children (Linda, David, and Debbie), 8 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren, many in-laws, and countless friends. He will be remembered for his humor, his wit, his tenacity, and his heart.

Author Mitch Albom wrote, “When someone is in your heart, they're never truly gone. They can come back to you, even at unlikely times.” Those who love Phil will continue to hear echoes of his easy infectious laugh and feel the strength of his strong embrace. Phil remains in the love that bonds his family, the DNA that made everything that came in his wake possible. He is in those who remain and will live on in those who are still to come. He created much beauty and will no doubt continue to come back to those who love him most at unlikely times.

A memorial of Phil's life will take place at 11:00 AM on Friday, 05/23/14 Reichert's Funeral & Cremation Services, 7320 Auburn Blvd., Citrus Heights, CA.