Phillip Volta

Phillip Jason Volta, 45, of Saratoga, California passed away peacefully the morning of October 10, after a two-year battle with pancreatic cancer. Phillip was a beloved husband, father, son, brother, uncle, friend, teacher, and coach. His generosity, warmth and kindness touched the lives of everyone around him.

Phillip was born in Santa Clara on November 8, 1978 to Joe and Jymme Lou Volta. He is survived by his beloved wife, Diana, and their two beautiful children, Joseph, 9, and Daniella, 4. Phillip was preceded in death by his father, Joe Sousa Volta and is survived by his mother Jymme Lou Volta from Santa Clara. His loving sisters Anita from Santa Clara, Monica from Livermore, Melissa (Travis) from Texas, and supportive brother Victor from Alameda. He adored his 4 nieces, Lauren (Jon), Katelyn, Isabella, and Lucy and his nephew, Travis (Sabrina). He is also survived by his Uncle Lee Volta and Aunt Jackie Volta from Brentwood as well as 13 first cousins. He will be greatly missed by his mother-in-law Radoyka Bilic and brother-in-law Nicholas Bilic.

Growing up, Phil spent countless hours playing sports outside with neighborhood friends. These early relationships fostered his core values of trustworthiness, honesty, compassion, and generosity. Phillip excelled in sports at Wilcox High School. He joined soccer, track and field throwing team(shot put & discus), and football, where he played center. In 1996, he and his Wilcox High School Football teammates won their first CCS Championship. He moved to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo where he continued his love for sports, especially football. He began a semi-pro team, The San Luis Obispo Panthers while finishing his Kinesiology degree. Soon after he began pursuing his teaching credential, where he also coached at Morro Bay High School. In 2007 he was hired to teach Physical Education for elementary students in the Santa Clara Unified School District. His first assigned sites were Bowers and Mayne Elementary Schools.

Phil also worked at Sutter (his alma mater), Scott Lane, Westwood, Laurelwood, and Millikin. In addition to teaching, Phil continued each work day by participating as a coach for the Wilcox Football Team and as throwing coach for the Track & Field discus and shotput. Twice a week he ran three separate adult education classes of indoor futsol soccer. He was an avid gardener and helped with the development of the garden program at Bowers. Phillip cherished his Portuguese heritage and culture, especially embracing the rich history of the culture of the food and love for the tight bond of his family.

He met the love of his life, Diana (Bilic) when he began teaching in Santa Clara at Bowers Elementary. At the time, she was teaching fourth grade. They had an instant bond. They shared a love for family, cultural traditions, and food. Over the past 18 years of their love story they embarked on epic adventures with travels that always involved incredible food. In 2011, they married and four years later they welcomed their first child, Joseph. Four years later, they welcomed Daniella. Countless Volta family adventures included lots of fishing, camping, trips to San Luis Obispo and Avila Beach, Disneyland, Los Angeles, New Orleans, Portugal, Croatia, Germany, Austria, Italy, and France. Phil was an avid traveler and self-proclaimed food connoisseur, but always put his love for his family first.

Even during endless treatments dating back to January 2023, Phil’s warrior-like determination and energy seemed boundless. Through it all, Phil continued to do all of the things he loved; cook massive family meals, listen and dance to music, and travel. He was the ultimate fearless warrior and will always be remembered as extraordinary.

Family and friends are invited to join the Memorial Vigil Service on Thursday, October 24th from 6-8pm at Lima Family Santa Clara Mortuary, 466 N. Winchester Blvd. The funeral services will take place the following day on Friday, October 25th at 10am at St. Justin’s Catholic Church, 2655 Homestead Road, Santa Clara. Private burial to follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Phil’s Family Go Fund Me at https://gofund.me/ad0cfc86