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Aaron Trombley uploaded photo(s)
Friday, December 3, 2021
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Phil was my uncle and basically a second father to me. I was going back and forth thinking about if I should write something here. I'm noticing a lot of his church family has commented here, which is wonderful. Phil really did love the church and it was a central part of his life on and off throughout his whole life.
On top of that, he was my friend. As we get older, it can be harder to connect with family but Phil’s personality made it so you could always call and chat, anytime, anywhere, like you had just left his house the following day.
He taught me and my older sister some pretty important life lessons early on. He didn't do it through scare tactics, fear or lecturing but just by being open and honest about his past. Things have natural consequences and Phil was no stranger to that. I don't think he knew at the time, but at least for me, it really helped pave the way to adulthood.
I can't tell you how many Sundays we spent together watching the Lions lose (and occasionally win). Phil would always be standing up, rubbing his hands, clapping and cheering on the team. And when the Bears played them, my Dad’s favorite team, you’d better believe it was a full on show. He’d pretend to rough up my dad whenever they scored, giving him fake scrapes across the eyes, fake choking him out or my favorite, Ric Flair slaps across the chest. All of those Sunday’s helped me see my Dad in a different light. A humorous and laid back light, something I definitely needed to see and I only wish my siblings got to see more of.
Phil loved 80’s rock and heavy metal and shared that love with me. Of course, his #1 would always be Ronnie James Dio. A small man with a powerful voice, sound familiar? We got to see him a few years before he passed at Harpo’s in Detroit. It was a great show and even in his 60’s Dio could command such a presence with the power of his voice. I can see why Phil was so inspired by him. Not to mention the heavy use of good and evil themes in his work.
Of course, there were countless movies, church services, weekends at his trailer, family get togethers, summer swims at Exerfit, Wamplers Lake and so many others places...and one very special Lions game back when Barry Sanders was still playing.
Phil had a tougher life than he led on. With his mom dying when he was so young, to the accident he was in which had a long road to recovery. Different issues with his health and so on...but again, you’d never know it talking to him. Me and Phil took an English class together at JCC (Now Jackson University) and he struggled to keep up with his run in college. Before long, it was back to factory work. And although I wanted more from him as he wanted from me in the years of my youth, he was destined for the simpler life. Don't get it twisted: Simple doesn't mean bad, far from it. As long as he had some good food, some foot rubs and something good to watch, he has content. The older I get, the more I'm drawn to the simple pleasures of life versus accumulating things, status or wealth.
I’m only now beginning to unpack all of his influence on my life. How many of his personality traits lie within me, how many “Phil-isms” I have. I can tell you this so far: My openness to others, my seeking of the truth wherever it leads and my open door policy definitely have his name written all over them. Not to mention my ability to laugh at myself and just not to take things so seriously...Phil was pretty easy going.
I am gonna miss you, buddy. I’m glad we got to talk before you hit the hospital. I’m glad you were in my life when I needed you and I’ll never forget you.
I encourage anyone reading this to share on this page. Otherwise, I’d love to hear your Phil stories. Email me at aarontrombley@gmail.com. If you’re interested in an interview I did with Phil in 2009, let me know and I can send you the link. As he used to say on so many phone calls: OUT!
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Pastor Mario Reategui posted a condolence
Sunday, November 14, 2021
It is going to be hard to go to church and not be able to see my brother Phil. He always love to say a loud amen after the last service song. He loved the Lord and people and he had a great burden to see them in heaven. For that reason he was always ready to go and witness to people door to door or just sharing Jesus with others whenever he had a chance. I will definitely miss him and the whole church family as well. I look forward for the day when “the dead in Christ will resurrect first,” what a beautiful day that will be. My sincere condolences to Vickie and the whole family.
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Pastor Mike Wise posted a condolence
Friday, November 12, 2021
Phil's love for Jesus shown brightly in his life, while he will be missed, I look forward to seeing him again on resurrection morning!
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philip L Hukill posted a condolence
Friday, November 12, 2021
Philip was my friend, and Jo and I will miss him until we meet again. I know where Philip will go; I pray I can do as well.
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Vern Lee posted a condolence
Friday, November 12, 2021
Our dear dear friend Phil will be so missed , the world has lost a mighty prayer warrior , until we meet on resurrection day , so long my friend ,
Vern and Jo Lee
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Tim Hukill posted a condolence
Thursday, November 11, 2021
Phil was my friend. A good friend. One who would give you anything he had if it would help you. God blessed him with a kind and loving heart. He loved his Lord and Savior Jesus, his wife Vicki, his family, friends, and every person he met. He was a people person. Many claim to be a people person, but Phil truly was. He was outgoing, friendly, compassionate, kind, and caring, not only to those he knew and loved, but even to those whom he just met.
I still can’t believe he is gone from among us. It just doesn’t seem possible and yet it is the reality. This reality that we are all caught up in while living in this world. God didn’t intend for us to live on a planet where one can feel the pain that a death of a loved one brings. God will recreate the world as He started it and Phil believed that with all his heart. Phil looked forward to the peace and happiness that awaits those who accept and believe in Jesus Christ. I know it was his desire to see everyone he ever knew in the new heaven and earth that the Lord will prepare for those who love Him.
It is my prayer that Phil’s desire will not go unanswered and that each of us who knew him and miss very much will one day be reunited wit him in a world where there is no more separation of death. Phil will be so glad to see us all and will be there with the smiling face we all remember, and with the unique laugh that only he could produce.
Good night my friend. See you soon.
Tim Hukill
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Marilyn posted a condolence
Thursday, November 11, 2021
We are so sorry to hear of Phil’s passing. Phil was such a fun, loving and loved sharing his faith!! Because we have this hope we are looking forward to seeing him again on resurrection morning. Thoughts and prayers are with his wife, family and friends! Doug &Marilyn
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The family of Philip Lea Trombley uploaded a photo
Thursday, November 11, 2021
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