Philip G. Grise Jr.

1943 - 2025

Philip G. Grise, Jr.
1943 - 2025
Philip G. Grise Jr., 81, of Stamford, CT, passed away peacefully on August 13, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. Phil was born August 25, 1943, in Chicago, IL, the son of Philip G. Grise and Mary (Hogan) Grise. He was the beloved younger brother of Joan Berg, Therese Volkl and Phyllis Skolak.
In 1962 Phil met a 16-year-old Sharon Burns at a dance and fell in love with her at first sight. After several years of friendship, they began dating and married in April 1968, staying happily married for 58 years. He always said that he "couldn't believe she picked him". Together they built a life that took them from the Northwest side of Chicago to Indianapolis briefly, to Park Ridge, IL, and then on to Stamford, CT, where they lived for 46 years and raised their four children and enjoyed being a huge part of the lives of their 10 grandchildren.
Phil was known for his sense of humor, his intelligence, his loyalty and integrity. Although he traveled the world throughout his life, his happy place was being at his house on Northwood Lane with family and friends, tending to his backyard, building fires with his grandkids during the winter or fixing things in his workshop. He had a reputation among his grandchildren for being able to fix anything they brought to him, from toy cars to miniature dollhouse furniture, and he took every project very seriously.
He was a fan of all music, especially jazz, and he loved playing the banjo, taking lessons until his death. Phil was also an avid reader and supporter of the Stamford Public Library, as well as The Metropolitan Museum of Art, PBS, NPR, WQXR classical music on New York Public Radio and WFUV Fordham Radio, especially the Irish Sundays programming.
Although he lived on the East Coast for the better part of his life, he stayed a loyal fan of the Chicago Bulls, the Bears, the White Sox and Notre Dame football. He joined his family in rooting for the NY Yankees (unless they were playing his White Sox) and the UConn women's basketball program, of which he never missed a game.
As a child he grew up on Keeler Ave. and attended St. Edward Grammar School in Chicago, where he also served as an altar boy for the church. He was a student at St. Patrick High School, where he said his illustrious basketball career 'began and also ended'. Phil went on to Christian Brothers University in Memphis and Illinois Institute of Technology where he earned a degree in Electrical Engineering.
He proudly served his country in the Army National Guard and was deployed many times, including to the 1968 Democratic convention riots in Chicago. Phil began his career at IBM in 1966 as a salesman, working his way up to be the head of Contracts and Negotiations, North America, until retirement in 2005. He then consulted with various companies, including Lenovo following its purchase of the IBM laptop business.
Preceding Phil in death are his parents, Philip and Mary Grise; his sisters Joan Berg and Therese Volkl. He is survived by his wife Sharon Grise, their children Maureen (Tom) Cavanagh, Daniel (Sandy Seaholm) Grise, Margaret (Adam Silver) Grise, and Thomas (Kristen Mascia) Grise; his sister Phyllis (Howard) Skolak; more beloved nieces and nephews than we have room to list; and his grandchildren: Aidan Grise, Alice Cavanagh, Madeline Grise, Tommy Cavanagh, James Cavanagh, Katie Cavanagh, Sam Grise, Louise Silver, Hal Grise and Edith Silver. He was affectionately known as "Boompa" to his 10 grandchildren, whom he adored.
Funeral/Memorial services will be announced shortly at www.LeoPGallagher.com.