PHILIP G. "PHIL" BAIL Sr.

PHILIP "PHIL" G. BAIL SR., 94, a native of Fort Wayne, of Chicago, Ill. (since 2008), died on Friday, Jan. 11, 2013, at Sunrise of Lincoln Park, Chicago as a result of respiratory failure. Born April 3, 1918, he was the son of Emil and Marie Graf Bail. Phil was one of three children, having survived his brother John J. Bail and his sister Mary Anne Bail Hart. Phil was married to Katherine (Kay) DeWald Wise Bail on Sept. 9, 1941, at Saint Patrick's Catholic Church, Fort Wayne. In September of 2011, Phil and Kay celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary with their entire family. He worked at Fort Wayne's Zollner Piston Corporation for 43 years, retiring as the Assistant Production Manager in 1983. Phil and his wife spent most of their lives in Fort Wayne, but resided for twelve years in Sun Lakes, Ariz. before returning to Fort Wayne and eventually settling in Chicago to be near four of their children. He graduated from Central Catholic High School in Fort Wayne, where he was an all-around athlete, and was a local tennis champion at age 20. He participated in Industrial League sports and played basketball for the original Zollner Pistons, a forerunner of the NBA Detroit Pistons. He officiated Indiana and Ohio high school basketball and football for many years and was well-known for his knowledge of the game and its rules, being a frequent resource for colleagues throughout the region. He was the official timekeeper for Bishop Luers High School basketball for 15 years. He was an avid golfer, having achieved six holes-in-one. He enjoyed playing Bridge and played both tennis and racquet ball well into his 70's. "Philip G. Bail Sr.'s life can be characterized by his commitment to his family, his honesty, his intelligence, and his love of sports, both as a participant and spectator." He is survived by his wife, Kay; six children, Philip G. Bail Jr. and his wife, Barbara of Grafton, Wis., Michael E. Bail and his wife, Beatriz Montoya of Norristown, Pa., James G. Bail of Chicago, Ill., Patricia Bail Trapp and her husband, Michael of Elmhurst, Ill., Richard P. Bail and his wife, Janice of Chicago, Ill., and Stephen E. Bail and his wife, Lizbeth of Lake Forest, Ill. He is also survived by 10 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Mass of Christian Burial is 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 19, 2013, at Our Lady of Good Hope Catholic Church, 7215 St. Joe Road, with the Rev. Mark Gurtner officiating. Visitation is from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 18, 2013, at D.O. McComb & Sons Covington Knolls Funeral Home, 8325 Covington Road, Fort Wayne, with a vigil service at 5 p.m. Phil's grandsons and great-grandsons will serve as pallbearers.The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial gifts be made to the Alzheimer's Foundation of America, 322 Eighth Ave., 7th Floor, New York, NY 10001 or their website at www.alzfdn.org