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Philip Joseph House

FUNERAL HOME

Robinson, Wright & Weymer Funeral Home

34 Main Street

Centerbrook, Connecticut

Philip House Obituary

Name: Visitation for Philip Joseph House
Start: 2018-08-15T20:00:00.000Z
End: 2018-08-16T00:00:00.000Z
Location: Robinson, Wright & Weymer Funeral Home

Philip Joseph House, 72, of Westbrook, CT died peacefully August 9th at Smilow Cancer Hospital surrounded by family and friends. Phil courageously battled cancer for a number of years but the disease never defined him as he fought with courage and grace becoming an inspiration to those who accompanied him on his difficult journey. Phil grew up in the Parkville section of Hartford and never forgot his formative years centered around Our Lady of Sorrows parish. He graduated from Our Lady of Sorrows Grammar School and joined the LaSalette Missionary order beginning with high school in 1960. An outstanding scholar/athlete, Phil led LaSalette to the Connecticut Class S basketball championship in 1964 and was selected a member of the All- State team. Although he left the order in 1969, Phil's years with LaSalette provided a spiritual and intellectual foundation that carried through his life and work in all the years that followed. After graduating from Merrimack College, Phil taught and coached basketball at South Catholic High School in Hartford, St. Bernard's High School in Montville, and Hand High School in Madison. As an assistant principal at Stonington High School and as principal of Westbrook Middle School, where he served for 26 years, Phil influenced scores of students, families, and teachers with his dedication to teaching and learning. Phil is survived by his loving wife of 48 years, Pat, his son Chris and his daughter-in-law, Jesse, his granddaughter, Harper Mae, his son, Brendan, and Brendan's girlfriend Linsey, all who have brought immeasurable joy to Phil's life. He also leaves behind an extended family, many dear friends and neighbors who loved and supported him unconditionally. Phil was predeceased by his parents, Russell and Kathryn of Hartford, his sister, Fran of Myrtle Beach, SC, and brother, Tom of Webster, NY. Special thanks to the 7th floor nursing and support staff of Smilow Hospital for their wonderful care and love. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, August 15th from 4-8 pm at the Robinson, Wright & Weymer Funeral Home, 34 Main Street, Centerbrook. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 am on Thursday, August 16th at St. Mark the Evangelist Church , 222 McVeagh Road in Westbrook followed by burial in Resurrection Cemetery, Route 145 in Westbrook. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Phil's name to the Westbrook Public Library, 61 Goodspeed Drive, Westbrook, CT 06498 or to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation at 383 Main Avenue, Norwalk, CT 06851. To share a memory of Phil or send a condolence to his family please visit www.rwwfh.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Hartford Courant on Aug. 13, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
for Philip House

Sponsored by the family.

19 Entries

Michael Wells

April 27, 2024

I met and played for Coach House at St Bernard´s my senior year. Although he was there at SBHS for only 1 year.He helped turn the program around and my memories of him are all positive. Although a excellent coach he Showed us
much more than bball. He taught us what it meant to work together, always the we not the I. Coach was competitive and knew we wanted to begin winning, but he always was a stand up man whether win or lose. The best coach I had throughout my career HS and college. My belated thoughts go out to his family. Mr House was one of the good ones!!!! RIP. I will always have fond memories of 1977.
My Best to all his family and Friend's.
Mike Wells
SBHS 1977

Russ Barmmer

August 7, 2023

Still in the classroom thanks to you

Lynda (House) Karas

April 7, 2022

Pat, Chris and Brendan. My deepest condolences on the passing of my dear cousin Phil.
His uncle Bill adopted me. We lost contact when he moved to Westport. I´m soo sorry for your loss
Cousin Lynda
I will inform his other cousins from
His uncle who died in WWII.
God bless all of you. I´m on Facebook if you want to contact me.

Melissa Sczapa

August 28, 2018

Pat, Chris, and Brendan,
I am so sorry for your loss. I was away during the services and very saddened to hear this news. I love you all

Melissa Sczapa

Len Corto

August 16, 2018

My deepest condolances to the House Family! Taught with Phil back in his South Catholic years, he was a super guy.
Len & Deb Corto

Amy Eckenroth

August 15, 2018

I am so sorry for your loss. There are few people in this world that can make you laugh like Phil House. I am honored to say I knew him. His personality brightened every room he entered. I send my love to Pat & family, and all his friends who were family.

Shannon Timme

Sent Flowers

Carroll Oates

August 14, 2018

Phil was the greatest inspiration for those of us younger than him at LA SALETTE Seminary back between 1960 to 1965/ He led us to our Class C Connecticut Basketball Championship but he led us on a daily basis to become leaders and good men. Thank You Phil, We will always remember you.

Carroll Oates, LTC US Army (Ret) Vero Beach, FL. LA SALETTE CLASS OF 1965, 954-494-8742

August 14, 2018

Two memories about Phil will remain with me forever.
First, his belief that I would make a better 7th grade teacher when after retirement, I expressed an interest in teaching --college!!! Stayed in that grade and high school for 6 years. He was right.

Second, a phone conversation we had from St. Charles Missouri where I was watching the return of Lewis & Clark reenactors at the end of their epic journey West to the Pacific and back. From his desk at Westbrook Middle School, he was as excited as I was as amateur historians saluting the achievement of those two brave men. Later, he did get to retrace part of their path and wrote to me about those moments.
I forgave him for being a Yankee fan.

Russ Barmmer, St. Petersburg Florida

Mary Ellen Ceraldi

August 14, 2018

I knew Mr. House from Our Lady of Sorrows and South Catholic. He was the nicest teacher I had at South. Very patient and gentle. He left a lasting impression on all who were lucky to know him. Keep smiling Mr. Philip House.

Kacey French

August 14, 2018

It is too bad that the physical structure of South Catholic High School no longer exists. Yet, the community still is strong due to the strong foundations and principles taught by teachers such as Phil House. He was beloved by so many and will be greatly missed. Everyone should have a memory of teacher of Mr. House's caliber, and true love for all his students.

ROBERT GAUVREAU

August 13, 2018

HAVING PLAYED BASKETBALL WITH PHIL AT OLS I ALWAYS REMEMBERED HIM AS A GREAT TEAMMATE AND PERSON. HE WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN ASKING ME TO PLAY FOR THE TEAM. HE LIVED ON THE SAME STREET AS ME AND WERE GOOD FRIENDS. HE WILL BE SORELY MISSED BY ME AND MANY PEOPLE. MAY GOD BLESS YOU PHIL

Ed Silva

August 13, 2018

My deepest sympathy and fond memories of English class, South Catholic High School. 46 years later I still remember Mr. House teaching me to be a better writer, and a better school newspaper editor, including more creative sports writing. He showed me as an example a sports headline written about one of his basketball wins, where a Phil House Beat a Straight Flush

Eduardo Silva, SCHS class of 1974.

August 13, 2018

As you remember your love one, as God heals your broken hearts (Psalm 147:3), may your treasured memories bring you peace, comfort, and strength to endure.

Allison Liberty

August 13, 2018

Sending you our deepest condolences. We will miss Phil's warm smile at family gatherings. May he Rest In Peace. Sincerely,
Ed and Allison Liberty

Kevin Freeley

August 13, 2018

I met Phil in 2004 serving on an accreditation team for a school in Connecticut. I had attended LaSalette High 65-69 so he had graduated before I arrived. I recognized him from his picture in the trophy case and was so happy to meet an idol of my youth. He was so professional and personable. We had fun discussing high school days.

Showing 1 - 19 of 19 results