Philip Edward Rachford

Philip Edward Rachford, 35, beloved son, brother, uncle, and brother-in-law passed away on January 5, 2020.

Born on March 6, 1984, in the City of Hartford, Connecticut, to Michael Rachford and Linda nee (Skube) Rachford, Philip was a good baby who rarely cried. He was baptized by Father Victor Kaltenbach on the hottest Summer day in decades in Simsbury, CT at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, where the air conditioning was not functioning. To make matters worse, at the restaurant after his baptism, the air conditioning also went out. Phil was stripped down to his diaper to keep him cool. At that point, he cried a little and all of the waitresses came over, swooning at that handsome little man. Phil smiled at them and their hearts melted. His Godmother, parents and family will never forget that day. Philip and his family moved to Chesterfield, Missouri in 1987 where he lived until his passing.

Philip’s love for his friends and family still lives on through all of the great memories he created with them through the years. He honored his Irish-German heritage through values of hard work, friendship, family centric activities, generosity, good story-telling, great sense of humor and most of all his great smile and attitude. Anyone who ever met Phil along his journey would tell you that they were a better person after that experience. Phil made people feel special. He listened when they spoke to him and always responded with warmth and empathy at their stories. Whether it was calling someone “Auntie” or staying over at a house to console someone in a time of need, Philip made sure that people knew they were loved and cared for. He would stay up late to sing Frank Sinatra songs to willing family members or light a fire to keep other family members warm. Phil was always there to make sure that people were comfortable and happy. Philip was a true gentleman - always holding doors and executing perfect manners, not to mention that he was always well dressed and in style.

While attending Chaminade College Preparatory High School, Philip worked at Imo’s Pizza in Chesterfield. He made many great friends during this time period that he still retained up to his passing. After graduating from Chaminade in the Class of 2002, he went on to pursue a degree in Business at the University of Missouri. After college, Phil went on to work for Elastizell, a specialty contractor, in the St. Louis area. There he worked as a quality control specialist and project manager. Throughout his time at Elastizell, he acquired many skills that would help him manage the complex environment of working at a specialty contractor.

He generously supported charitable organizations. He donated his time to various trivia nights throughout the region to raise money for educational scholarship funds. He was also an avid outdoorsman. He relished spending time roller-blading, hiking, boating at Lake of the Ozarks, floating on a river or spending time at the beach or in the mountains. He especially enjoyed vacationing at Tan-Tar-A with his family. He appreciated the aspects of each one of the biomes he visited and would often take beautiful photographs as mementos of these trips. During the advent of digital cameras, Phil was at the forefront. He would take pictures of everything and capture poignant moments with family and friends.

Philip was a philosopher at heart and loved the Arts. He loved to read and analyze the world. He was introspective at one moment and ready to debate in the next. He loved to learn about new things and use that knowledge to help others. As a young man, he learned to play the trumpet under the wonderful tutelage of Mr. Hahn and the music department staff at Chaminade. With these new found brass skills, he would entertain family and friends with beautiful music. Once during a 4th of July celebration in Chesterfield Hills’ neighborhood, he played the Star Spangled banner from a rooftop for the enjoyment of all the neighbors. He dabbled on the piano and always liked to play “Heart and Soul” with a partner. He enjoyed going to music festivals like Pointfest or seeing shows at the Pageant with his sister, his niece or his friends. He loved film and going to the movies. Before his passing, he attended Star Wars Episode IX with his whole family. He was so excited to see the end of a saga that he grew up loving. Ninja Turtles held a special place in Philip’s heart as well. He grew up on the TV show and playing with all of the toys when he was a youth.

Philip was indeed a foodie at heart. He loved great burgers and pizza of any style or format. He particularly liked to help out as a sous chef to family members and friends, preparing delicious meals for all to indulge in. He liked going to new restaurants and trying new cuisines. Along his various travels, he would always have a story to bring back about a particular dinner or tasty meal that he had. One of his favorite stories to tell was about a trip to Secaucus, NJ, where he dined at a little restaurant named Trillo Grille. There, he, his father and his brother shared a wonderful bottle of Chateauneuf du Pape red wine and stuffed green peppers floating in a marinara sauce. The entrée was veal saltimbocca, one of Philip’s favorite dishes whenever he dined at Italian restaurants.

Philip loved sports. He was an avid Cardinals fan and Blues fan throughout his life. He loved to go golfing with his father, brother and nephews. In grade school and high school, Philip played basketball. Over the past several years, Philip helped coach a basketball team for a recreation league in the Parkway-Rockwood district. He could drain some three point shots from all over the Arc and put up some incredible shots in the Post. When he was guarding his nephew Nathan, a member of the team, Philip always played extra tough defense to ensure Nathan became a better basketball player. When the team learned of Coach Phil’s passing recently, they changed the team name to “the Phillies” in honor of Coach Phil.

Philip is survived by his parents Michael Rachford and Linda nee (Skube) Rachford, Brother Stephen Rachford and his wife Rachel nee (Freund) Rachford, sister Julie Rachford, niece Madelaine Flynn and husband John, nephew Nathan Rachford, Grandmother Norma Jean nee (Kirby) Skube. His Godparents are Elizabeth nee (Rachford) Cartwright and Lawrence Skube. He was the dear grandson of John Rachford (deceased) and Dorothy nee (Kilver) Rachford (deceased) and William Skube (deceased) and Elizabeth Kilver (deceased). He was the dear nephew of Doyle Rachford (deceased), Daniel and JoAnn (nee Colasaco) Rachford, Kevin Rachford, Tim Rachford, Elizabeth nee (Rachford) Cartwright, Hugh Rachford, James and Barbara (nee Skube) King, Richard and Theresa nee (Skube) Mendenhall, and Lawrence and Stephanie nee (Healy) Skube. He will be missed by his many aunts, uncles, cousins, extended family and friends.

Services: Funeral from the SCHRADER Funeral Home and Crematory, 14960 Manchester Road at Holloway, Ballwin, Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to Ascension Catholic Church, Chesterfield for 10:00 a.m. Mass. Interment Bellerive Gardens. In lieu of flowers, please make donations on behalf of Philip Rachford to the Chaminade College Preparatory High School- Music Department. Contact Julie Lohr at 314-993-4400 or [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> for more information. Please have any masses for Philip Rachford sent to Ascension Church, 230 Santa Maria Drive, Chesterfield, MO 63005 - <https://www.ascensionchesterfield.org/> Phone: 636-532-3304. Visitation Friday 5-9 p.m. Friends may sign the family’s on-line guestbook at Schrader.com.