Philip Anthony Gale

Philip Anthony Gale, age 65, died peacefully with family by his side. Over many years Phil had numerous health issues, yet he stayed positive. He always had concern for everyone else first. They say you cannot keep a good farmer down and the good Lord came to take Phil to the "big farm" on Feb. 8, 2022.

Born Nov. 23, 1956, in Manchester, to Mary Rose Margaret (Desmarais) and Andrew Gale Sr. He was one of six children. Phil was predeceased by his parents; and by his aunts and uncles, James and Anne Chenette, Floyd and Eva Wheeler, Irving and Evelyn Andert, Lucian Desmarais, Gerald and Olga Desmarais; and cousins, Gerald Desmarais Jr. and Gigi Chenette. Phil grew up in Ellington and worked on the family farm (dairy for many years) his whole life. He attended Rockville High School Vo-Ag and was a member of the FFA. Phil was a patient man. He was respectful of nature, a man of the land, lover of animals (every cow had a name), kind hearted, hard working and steadfast. His humor was grand. He was proud to be a farmer. Phil had excellent carpenter skills and mechanical aptitude. He could do what others could only talk about. Although he never married or had children, Phil loved his nieces and nephews and he was just a big kid at heart!

Phil leaves behind his brothers, Andrew (Della) Gale, John (Debi) Gale, Gregory (Tracy) Gale; and sisters, Marti Zhigailo and Anne Marie Gale. He also leaves behind his nieces and nephews Travis (Jess) Gale, Emily (Tim) Halpin, Conrad (Megan) Gale, Bradley Gale, Ryan Richardson, Max Gale, Sydney Gale, Zach Stephens, Jessica Stephens, Drew Gale and Elliott Wolchesky. He also leaves behind great-nieces and -nephews Caitlyn and Trent Halpin, Wyatt and Margaret Rose Gale. He also leaves behind his cousins Joe (Carla) Andert, Donnie Andert, Michael (Laura) Andert, Nancy (Gerry) Marmat, Carla (Roger) Craycraft (Cameron and Drew Nichols), James Surano, Yvonne Chenette (Kyle Gerner).

Phil always enjoyed a good visit and reminiscing about the "old days" with his extended family. Yvonne recently revived the memory of the family "0004 club." (A whole family production, like little Broadway which took place up in the family farm shed on Sunday afternoons back in the '60s, many educational skits were performed for the huge audience of about seven!) Phil enjoyed learning and working on carpentry or mechanic projects with Uncle Jim while debating who was better, the Red Sox or Yankees (Phil was the Yankee fan).

A heart-felt thank you to Phil's long time caregiver and confidant Diane Symkowicz for her years of friendship, care, compassion and love.

In Phil's honor please be kind to one another, help your family, friends and your neighbors. Life is short and being kind is an easy thing to do! If you wish to make a donation in his name please do so to Fenton River Hospital, 73 West Stafford Rd., Stafford Springs, CT 06076 (to help farmers in need) or to Rockville FFA, 70 Loveland Hill Rd., Vernon, CT 06066.

Phil, we love and miss you. You now have the peace you deserve and every day in heaven is a good hay day!

Pietras Funeral Home has care of his arrangements.

Relatives and friends may join the family for a graveside Service at the Ellington Center Cemetery in Ellington, on Monday, Feb. 14, at 11 a.m.

For online condolences, please visit www.pietrasfuneralhome.com