Phillip H Margules, retired psychologist, was born on February 20, 1923 in Toledo OH to Tana and Esther (Rader) Margules, who were Russian-Jewish immigrants. Phil died on March 30, 2020 at Poppen Hospice Residence in Norton Shores MI.
In his early childhood, Phil and his family moved to New York where they lived in
Brooklyn. After he graduated from high school, the family relocated to Detroit,
where Phil enrolled at Wayne State University in the School of Pharmacy. He interrupted his studies to enlist in the US Army. Phil served with the 893rd Company A
Tank Destroyer Battalion, fighting in the Battle of the Bulge and the Battle of Huertgen
Forest; he received a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart.
After the war, Phil resumed his education at the University of Michigan in
Ann Arbor and was awarded a BA in psychology in 1948. He married Ona Lightfoot on March 5, 1948 and she preceded him in death on September 14, 2016.
After graduating from UM, Phil earned a Master’s of Science in Psychology from the University of Utah. Upon returning to Michigan he was employed by the State of Michigan Department of Mental Health at Caro State Hospital. Phil pursued further post-graduate study in 1954-1955 at the University of Utah and then returned to Caro.
In 1958, Phil, Ona, and their three young children moved to Muskegon where he
continued his employment with the State at the Child Guidance Clinic. After retiring from the State in 1981, Phil worked for Community Mental Health of Muskegon County until 1984; he then worked on-call and in private practice for several years.
Phil was a charter member of the Northside Lions and was active for many years, going on outreach missions to Honduras and Guatemala. He also was a life member of the University of Michigan Alumni Association and the American Psychological Association, and he belonged to several veterans groups. For many years Phil was an active member of Harbor Unitarian Universalist Congregation and a supporter of Temple B’Nai Israel. He considered himself to be a Humanist.
Throughout his life Phil was an avid reader and had wide-ranging interests, including cooking, gardening, investing, and collecting coins and stamps. Phil also was a prolific writer, filling many note pads with stories of the dogs and cats he loved, his musings while walking the dogs, and essays about his war experiences. Until the last few years, Phil met weekly with his “Bagel Buddies” for coffee and breakfast, and regularly played bridge with friends.
Providing for his family may have been Phil’s greatest goal and achievement.
He is survived by his children Deborah Margules MD, Suzanne (David) Lowe JD,
Jonathan (Linda, dec.) Margules, and Peter (Michelle Belt) Margules, and grandsons Peter (Kristie Little) Margules II and Simon Belt Margules.
Phil was predeceased by his two sisters and his brother, as well as his parents, in addition to his wife Ona. He requested that his body be cremated. There will be no funeral, but a memorial gathering will be held at a future date. Those wishing to make a donation in Phil’s memory are asked to consider the Lions Clubs International Foundation (www.lionsclubs.org) or Pound Buddies Shelter and Adoption (1300 E Keating Ave, Muskegon 49442).
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18