Philip J. Pillin 1934-2025

He was born April 7, 1934, in Youngstown, the son of Dominic and Geraldine Calucchia Pillin.

Phil grew up on the East Side, and since he was the youngest child, Phil’s mother gave him the name “Philly” while his neighbors and friends called him “Babe.”

Phil was a 1952 graduate of Ursuline High School and after graduation was employed as a mail clerk for Republic Steel.

Phil was drafted in 1957 and served in the United States Navy on the USS Chester T O’Brien as a radio sailor. Upon receiving an honorable discharge in 1959, Phil returned home and was employed by Jeswald & Sylvester Construction. While working with them, he also learned the trade of becoming a carpenter and later worked at Plaza Lumber.

Phil met the love of his life, the former Mary Rita “Marie” Massaro, and married July 1, 1961, at St. Charles Borromeo Church. They were blessed with two children, Phillip and Christine Marie, and having a family, Phil decided to build a home in Poland with his skills that he learned with the help of his family and friends.

He returned to Republic Steel and received his transportation and traffic management degree from Youngstown State University in 1975. He was promoted to representative for Republic Steel.

Phil was an active member of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Basilica, where he was an usher and an adult server for many years. Along with Marie, they volunteered for the church spaghetti dinners and at their annual festivals, alongside their many friends from the parish. Phil was the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Festival’s Man of the Year for 2024.

Phil loved spending vacations with his family,and after retirement, Phil and Marie had two amazing trips to Rome and Sicily with their friends from church.

He leaves behind to hold onto his memories his beloved wife of over 63 years, Mary Rita “Marie,” sharing their years with love, respect and devotion; his beloved children, Phillip Pillin and Christine Cipriano, whom he loved, showing his devotion to them throughout his life; his three precious grandchildren who he adored and they loving called him PaPa, Annamarie Cipriano, Daniel (Danielle) Cipriano and Phillip J. Pillin; a sister-in-law, Maryanne Pillin; and brother-in-law, Dominic (Karen) Massaro; along with many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Besides his parents, Phil was preceded in death by two brothers, Carl and Dominic Pillin; his in-laws who loved him, William and Anita Massaro; a sister-in-law, JoAnn (Jack) Ziemianski; and his nephew, John Ziemianski.

Family and friends may pay their respects 5 until 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025, at the Rossi & Santucci Funeral Home, 4221 Market St., Boardman.

There will be a funeral Mass 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 14, 2025, at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Basilica, 343 Via Mt. Carmel, Youngstown, with the Very Rev. Msgr. Michael J. Cariglio as celebrant. Everyone is asked to meet directly at the church Friday morning to celebrate Phil’s Mass.

Private burial will take place in Poland Riverside Cemetery, Poland.

Phil’s family wishes to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the entire staff of Ohio Living Home Health and Hospice for all the care and compassion shown to them and Phil throughout this difficult time.

In lieu of flowers, material contributions may be made in Phil’s name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105; or Ohio Living Home Health and Hospice, 6715 Tippecanoe Road, Bldg. E, Suite 201, Canfield, OH 44406.

Family and friends may visit www.rossi

santuccifh.com to view this obituary and send condolences to Phil’s family.

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