Phillip C. Rasmussen Jr.

Phillip C. "Phil" Rasmussen, Jr., age 67, a resident of Lisle, IL, formerly of Chicago and Naperville, IL, passed away on Saturday, September 16, 2023, at Edward Hospital in Naperville. He was born on June 28, 1956, in Chicago.

Beloved son of Phillip C., Sr. and Phyllis (nee Edgar) Rasmussen of Naperville, loving brother of David (Alison Musgrave) Rasmussen of Chicago, Leslie (David) Thonn of Woodridge, IL and Christopher (Sandra) Rasmussen of North Aurora, IL, adored uncle of Ian and Madeleine Rasmussen; David Thonn and Angela (Brian Pawola) Thonn; Tyler (Amanda) Miller, great-uncle of Evelyn, Maggie Ann and Trenton Miller; Henry and Owen Pawola, dear nephew of Joetta Stula of New Jersey and Rochelle Flaherty of Chicago Ridge, IL, fond cousin and friend of many.

Phil was a go-getter from childhood...beginning with Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and volunteering as a street circus worker caring for animals.

While attending Naperville Central High School, Phil was involved in numerous clubs and organizations - including being an All-Conference varsity football player and participating in the drama club.

Phil was a student at both Southern and Northern Illinois University, where he met his first love and wife, Debra; who passed away 18 years later.

He was a leader within the community, traveling to Russia to distribute bibles, working in the hazard waste removal industry and eventually starting his own waste removal company. Additionally, Phil was a lifelong Chicago Bears fan and was proud to have participated in a "photo op" with legendary head coach, Mike Ditka.

Phil was also a professional and devoted fisherman who enjoyed not only the artistry and philosophy of the sport, but also appreciated the experience of just being on a lake as much as the actual catch. He was a member of the Illinois B.A.S.S. Federation while he lived on Lake of the Egypt in Southern Illinois and Phil's lifelong love for fishing was not only infectious to others, but influenced both his family and friends to appreciate the sport as he did.

As an outdoorsman who took great pride in his flower gardens, Phil would spend his summer days watching the many hummingbirds who fed on his balcony. During the later part of his life, Phil made immeasurable friendships with the residents at Arbor Place of Lisle, a community he fondly referred to as home.

Phil suffered a major stroke in 2005 which led to a stay at Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital, where they published a chronological journey of Phil's recovery entitled "A Stroke Survivor's Story of Hope." Phil was a remarkable man who made the most of his opportunities later in life despite the physical challenges from his stroke. His medical team and longtime caretaker, Indira, regularly commented on how Phil consistently defied the odds and lived his life to the fullest. Two of Phil's specialists recently told his family that they had never met a patient as resilient as Phil and that his impact on them would never be forgotten.

Phil will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

A memorial visitation will be held on Friday, September 29, 2023, 4:00-7:00 PM at Friedrich-Jones Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 44 S. Mill Street, Naperville.

A celebration of Phil's life will follow Friday, 7:00 PM in the funeral home with Deacon Roger Novak officiating.

Private inurnment: SS. Peter & Paul Cemetery, Naperville.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Phillip's memory can be made to: Loaves & Fishes Community Pantry, 1871 High Grove Lane, Naperville, IL 60540, (630) 355-3663, www.loaves-fishes.org

For more information, please call (630) 355-0213 or visit www.friedrich-jones.com