Phil was born in Franklinville, NJ to Roscoe and Margaret Stillwell. Phil met his wife, Jean, at the local roller-skating rink when they were 21 and they fell in love, as Phil would say, “they’ve been skating together ever since”, through 67 years of marriage. Together they had four children. They relocated to Pinellas County in 1968 from New Jersey. In Florida they found sunshine, and they made a new home.
Phil was known for his long-distance running ability. He excelled in cross country (In high school, he never lost a race) and track and field. He graduated from Seton Hall University after a four-year full ride scholarship for Cross country and track and field. He is a member of the South Jersey Track and Field Coach’s Hall of Fame. Phil was invited to try out for the ’48 Olympic Games in the 10,000-meter event but turned it down for personal reasons. He loved to run.
Phil was a schoolteacher, mostly elementary level, although he taught a few years of eighth grade. He taught for almost 40 years, some in NJ but mostly in Florida, at Oakhurst Elementary School. In the summers, between school years, Phil worked in construction.
Phil enjoyed life to the fullest, going on adventures whenever he had the opportunity; scalloping with Lou Coulombe, coaching baseball, attending sporting events of his children and grandchildren, walks in the woods, water-skiing, snow-skiing, river boating down the Suwanee River, swimming, running as a senior, diving for sand dollars at Clearwater beach, searching for sharks’ teeth, hiking the waterfalls in NC, camping, exploring caves in Kentucky, a 40th wedding anniversary trip enjoying the southwest US, and much more.
Phil was a life-long Roman Catholic, most recently a member of St. Patrick Parish in Largo. He enjoyed his time organizing the drivers for the Parish transportation ministry at St. Justin Martyr Parish in Seminole.
Phil is survived and remembered by his children; Phil Stillwell Jr. (Debi), Robert Stillwell (Lynn), Patrick Stillwell (Carol), and Jean Almanza (Peter), nine grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren (we are counting Sadie, expected next month). In addition to an abundance of much-loved, extended family, he is also survived by his brother George (Cindy) and predeceased by his brothers Rich, Rock, Francis, and Jim, and also predeceased by his sisters Marge Smith and Carol Massimiano.
Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00am on Saturday, November 20th at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Largo, FL. Burial will follow at Serenity Gardens Memorial Park, and a celebration of life at Serenity Funeral Home from 1-3.
In Phil's words, "So long!"
To view the live stream of Philip's service, contact Glenn Register at (727) 267-2468 and say, "I would like to see the funeral, please send me the link"
