MADISON - Philip Blair, age 91, of Madison, passed away on Friday, Oct. 22, 2021, at St. Mary's Hospital. He was born on April 24, 1930, in Nekoosa. Philip graduated from Nekoosa High School. He continued his studies at Northwestern University, earning a chemical engineering degree. Philip was united in marriage to Mary Jo Zurfluh on April 24, 1954, at St. Sebastian Parish in Milwaukee.

Philip was drafted into the U.S. Army during the Korean War. Upon leaving the service, he began his career working as a chemical engineer. He worked with CITGO Petroleum from 1960 until his retirement in 1993. Philip was a very talented woodcarving artist, creating relief carvings of van Gogh paintings, and carving many Santas for the family over the years. Philip loved spending time with his family, and they were chosen to be contestants on Family Feud in 1982.

Philip is survived by three sons, Don (Dawn) Blair, Jeff (Lisa) Blair and Mike (Karolyn) Blair; daughter, Linda (Greg) Meier; daughter-in-law, Marilaine Blair Patrick; 11 grandchildren, Dan Blair, Kelsey (Carlos) Henriquez, Katie (Bryan) Davis, Kristin (Keaton) Loose, Kevin Blair, Alex (fiancée, Mariah) Blair, Andrew Blair, Alyssa Blair, Jaxson Blair, Justyn Blair and Drew Blair; step-grandsons, Adam and Jonathon White; great-grandchildren, Liam, Noah and Owen Blair, Emma and Taylor Davis, Parker Loose, and Nolan Henriquez; and many loving family and friends. He was preceded in death by wife, Mary Jo Blair; son, Phil Blair; granddaughter-in-law, Lacy Blair; and numerous siblings.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. DENNIS CATHOLIC CHURCH, 505 Dempsey Road, Madison, at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021, with Father Randy Timmerman presiding. Entombment will follow at Highland Memory Gardens. Visitation will be held at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service on Thursday. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care

5203 Monona Drive

(608) 221-5420

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Published by Madison.com on Oct. 27, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for Philip Blair

Sponsored by Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Care - Madison/Monona.

3 Entries

John Leonard

October 28, 2024

I worked with Phil at Citgo in Chicago/Hinsdale and I can say that Phil was a wonderful man with a wonderful personality.

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Bill and Mary Furhmann

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Georgia Pollard

October 27, 2021

I was booted and worked for Mr. Blair at the very first Citgo Quik Mart on S. Park St. in fact, I was the opener for the first shift of the first day and the mart had been broken into the night before! A very good manager and kind man. My deepest condolences to his family.

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