Phillip Seymour DeCaro

1935 - 2013

Phillip Seymour DeCaro obituary, 1935-2013

BORN

1935

DIED

2013

Phillip DeCaro Obituary

Phil DeCaro died peacefully at home of heart failure.
Phil was awarded the CIA's Intelligence Star for extreme courage under hazardous conditions (the medal awarded at the end of the movie "Argo"). Only a few hundred people have ever received this award. That's the kind of person Phil was.
Phil went to Harvard University as an undergrad, although for a time no one believed he would graduate from high school. After Harvard, Phil walked into Stanford Law School in August, requesting admission for the coming school year. He was admitted.
Phil was a lawyer, an "Ivy League" rancher and horseman, a pilot, a ski patroller, a supreme athlete, a dependable friend, a counselor, a passionate advocate for progressive causes, a holder of a concealed-weapon carry card, and the most liberal person you've ever met. He was everyone's "go-to" guy, because he always had a solution that was usually amazingly creative and effective. His laugh could rock the world.
Above all else, Phil was a family man. He was passionately in love with his wife, Gale Gatto, for 38 years. He was a supportive, loving and active father to his three children (Lisa, Lara and Phil), and a shamelessly doting PopPop to his three granddaughters (Ella, Annabelle and Pearl). He was a proud older brother to Jeffrey DeCaro and his wife, Terese; an adoring uncle to Dru, Tricia and Gina; and an encouraging friend to his former wife, Barbara (Lisa's and Lara's mother).
Phil's favorite way to celebrate anything from birthdays and graduations to drop-by social visits was with an ice cream party ? he loved giving the kids too many sprinkles or too much whipped cream. Evergreen kids called him the Ice Cream King, but it was an informal title he'd had for more than 50 years.
The family is celebrating Phil with an ice cream party from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 9, at his home in Evergreen.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Parkinson Association of the Rockies and the ACLU (National Foundation).
Arrangements handled by: Hegmann Funeral Services Inc., P.O. Box 2017, Idaho Springs, CO 80452, 303-567-4323
Family contact: Phillip G. DeCaro (son), at [email protected] or 720-300-8079.

Published by Canyon Courier from Mar. 5 to Mar. 13, 2013.

Memories and Condolences
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4 Entries

A friend in need and a friend anytime. As was said at the ice cream party on Sunday, if all lawyers were like Phil there would not be any lawyer jokes.
Although we helped start the Colorado Springs ACLU chapter together we never let our different politics do anything but enliven our discussions.
And thanks to Phil and Gale for the many times we stayed with them and their unflagging hospitality.

Charles Corry

March 10, 2013

Shelley and I are so sorry to hear of Phil's passing. He was very generous with his time and thoughtful advice. We were so touched when Phil welcomed us to his home, and to meet his wonderful family, when we moved to Colorado.

Dan Edelstein

March 10, 2013

Words fail me. I can only remember Phil's lovely smile, and kind heart. May family and friends find peace in remembering him.

Ginny Sycuro

March 9, 2013

I've been chasing down the rumor of Phil's passing and could just see him saying that "the rumors of my death have been greatly exagerated" ... but so sorry to hear it is, in fact, true. what a warm, funny, caring part of humanity he was ! My love to you all !

Cyndy Morreale

March 7, 2013

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