

Phil was raised in Brooklyn during difficult times, first the depression, then World War II. After finishing high school, he began college, only to have it interrupted by the Korean War. He enlisted in the Air Force as a single man, was discharged four years later married and the father of two. He spent most of his career in the textile business as a middleman and a salesman.
He took being a dad seriously, teaching right from wrong, and guiding each one towards college. When the time came to back off, he did, leaving his kids to choose their own path in life. But he was always available with advice, if needed.
In his forties, he taught himself to cook. He became quite the chef and liked nothing better than to invite his family for a gourmet meal that he prepared.
He was also an avid sports fan. He may have been the last person alive who saw the great Babe Ruth play in a major league game, which occurred in Ruth’s last season, 1935, while a member of the Boston Braves. Phil was 5 years old at the time and his memory is that Ruth “struck out, so what was the big deal?”. He also was in attendance for game seven of the 1955 World Series when his beloved Brooklyn Dodgers won their one and only championship. He spent the last 60 years rooting for, but mostly railing against, the New York Giants and Mets.
Phil is survived by his 3 sons, Gary, Dave, and Steve, 5 grandchildren, Liza, Matt, Dylan, Cassie, and Jillian, and 4 great grandchildren, Lucy Gordon, Ellie Gordon, RJ Cross, and Ziv Raymond. He was predeceased by his grandson, Andrew Gordon, by his first wife, Judith (Raphael) Gordon, and by his second wife, Irene (Cantor) Gordon.
Graveside services will be held at Gates of Zion Cemetery, 670 Saddle River Rd, Airmont, NY 10952, US, on October 11, 2026 at 11:00 AM.
Funeral arrangements have been entruseted to Hellman Memorial Chapels, 15 State Street, Spring Valley, NY 10977 (845) 356-8600 Jewish Funeral Directors
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