Philip M. Gutsell

Philip Michael Gutsell, 74, of Chicago, passed away peacefully on July 6, 2024 surrounded by his loving family.
Phil was the beloved husband of 44 years to Yvonne Gutsell (nee George); loving father of Philip (Andrea) Gutsell and Mia Gutsell (Daniel Garczek); and proud grandfather of Mark Philip Gutsell. He is also survived by his family household - brother Gerry (Helen) Gutsell, Jessica Gutsell, Alicia (Brian) McGivern, Nell and Jack McGivern, Allison (Vince) Dinella, and Vince, Mollie and Sadie Dinella; as well as siblings Joan, Jean, Rich, Rosie, and Mary. He is preceded in death by his parents Charles and Rosalie, and siblings Joyce, Charlie, and Jimmy. He also was the loving uncle, mentor, and friend to many nieces, nephews, and extended family - all of whom he deeply adored.
Phil attended DePaul Academy and DePaul University where he majored in English, building the vocabulary he would use to excel in family Scrabble games. He was the team manager for the Blue Demons basketball team and remained a loyal fan of the DePaul sports teams.
He carried on his father's legacy in running the family business, Gutsell & Associates, and was a well-known consultant in the home furnishings industry - some say a legend. Throughout his career, he built close relationships with many clients who looked forward to his visits and called him a friend.
In 1979, he married his beautiful wife, Yvonne. Phil, Yvonne, Gerry, and Helen were inseparable and raised their families in a shared 2-flat home they affectionately called "the manor." The household functioned as one big family - with no distinction between the upstairs and downstairs and often times no distinction between Phil and his brother Ger.
In 2023, he became a grandfather, and baby Mark was immediately fascinated by his grandpa's stories, laughter, and continuous entertainment. They babbled back and forth and made each other smile every time they were together. He would constantly say to his grandson, "Do you know how happy you make me!?"
Phil loved to travel with his family and friends and was always planning the next big trip - more recently including his daughter-in-law, son-in-law, and grandson. As a creature of habit, he also enjoyed taking his loved ones out to dinner at Elliot's or Geja's, where he shared some of his best stories and advice over steak or fondue and a bottle of wine.
Although he required a minimum daily intake of Dunkin' Donuts coffee, Phil was constantly active, preferably spending his time outdoors fishing, hiking, skiing, or biking. He traveled to all 50 states for work and leisure and enjoyed visiting many of the National Parks. If he wasn't out exploring, he could be found in what was affectionately known as "the basement" - napping in his favorite chair, sharing jokes with his brother, having friends over for his Risky Investment Seminars (poker games), or upgrading the entire entertainment system (currently on version 7.0) while still never replacing the 300 CD disc player.
Phil is loved and cherished by all who knew him. He was kind, generous, caring, loving, and the life of every party. He captivated people with his laughter and detailed, although sometimes tangential, storytelling. The silence in his absence is deafening. His memory will live on in each of us who knew him and loved him.
Visitation will be held Sunday, July 14 from 3 to 7 pm at N.H. Scott & Hanekamp Funeral Home, 1240 Waukegan Rd., Glenview. Family and friends will meet for Funeral Mass on Monday, July 15 at 10 am at St. Elizabeth of the Trinity Parish, 6020 W. Ardmore, Chicago. Interment will be at All Saints Cemetery, Des Plaines.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Wounded Warrior Project.