Phillip Bruce Ridgdill

Phillip is survived by his wife Carmel, daughters Laura and Michelle, son Bruce, grandchildren Annika, Erika, and Tyler and many nieces and nephews in Ireland where he was affectionately known as “Uncle Cool”.

Phillip was born in Kissimmee, Florida into a large loving extended family with Aunts, Uncles and cousins where he enjoyed a wonderful childhood. The families moved close to the McCoy Airforce base in Orlando ignited a lifelong love of aviation, and he joined the Air Force on his 17th birthday. He was assigned to the Air Traffic Controller school, and after leaving the Air Force he was employed by the FAA and worked as an Air Traffic Controller Officer, a job he loved and excelled at. He was recruited by IAL and continued to work as a Controller in Malaysia and Abu Dhabi UAE.

He met his beloved Carmel in Abu Dhabi, a love affair that lasted 32 years. Phillip enjoyed a lifelong passion for sports, football, Tennis and especially motorcycling. He had the privilege of riding professionally for Ducati and Kawasaki enjoying many successes in Daytona and Palm Beach.

Upon retirement, Phillip and Carmel moved back to Jacksonville to be close to family. He settled into life in Florida rekindling his passion for motorcycling, joining the HSTA, and the BMW-NEF club and made many new friends. It did not take long before Phillip was organizing cross country bike trip and spectacular trips to Europe, motorcycling through the Alps.

Phillip lived life to the fullest, and he never knew a stranger. He enjoyed the simple things in life, spending time with family for whom he would do anything, sitting on his back porch with his dog Brody, and sharing food with friends. He filled his days with time spent at the Gym, lunch with friends and bike rides. Phillip was a loving, caring and loyal companion to Carmel whom he loved unconditionally. He has left a void in our lives, but we are better for having known him, and he will be missed beyond measure.

In lieu of flowers please make monetary donations in Phillip’s name to the Alzheimer’s Foundation.

Services will be held at San Juan Del Rio Catholic Church, 1718 SR 13, Jacksonville, Florida 32259 on Saturday, November 26, 2022. Visitation beginning at 1:00 PM and Funeral Mass beginning at 1:30 PM. Phillip will be laid to rest at Jacksonville National Cemetery on Monday, November 28, 2022 at 10:30 AM.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hgmandarin.com for the Ridgdill family.