Phillip Joseph Minella

Phillip Joseph Minella, 80, a longtime resident of Nantucket, Massachusetts and formerly of Old Forge, Pa., died Sunday, Aug. 27 at his home surrounded by his children.

Born in Taylor, Pa., son of the late Joseph and Angelina "Gingy" Bianco Minella, he received his elementary and high school education at the Milton S. Hershey School in Hershey, Pa. He then became a graduate of Penn State University, and ultimately, University of Denver (Colorado), where he earned his master's degree. Phil then became an architectural designer/land developer. He was the owner, president and CEO of Sunshine Design Inc. until his death.

Phil's childhood was an unusual one. His father was killed in World War II when Phil was the tender age of two. His mother, a young bride and factory worker, with three boys to care for, was not financially prepared to do it on her own in the landscape of 1940s America. Lucky enough, Milton Hershey, of Hershey bar fame, started a boarding school for boys who had lost a parent in the war. This school was located not far from Phil's hometown of Old Forge, Pennsylvania, in what is now aptly called Hershey, Pennsylvania. Phil was what is considered a "lifer" at the Milton Hershey School, getting this distinction because the Milton Hershey School was the only school Phil attended, before going on to higher education. Phil had an immense amount of gratitude and admiration for Mr. Hershey. Phil emulated Mr. Hershey's caring, giving and loving ways throughout his whole life.

Phil was an avid skier and ahead of his time with the sport. He owned his own ski school in Pennsylvania and developed his love for the sport while living out west in Vail. Featured in Warren Miller films, he was sponsored by various ski companies and even graced the cover of Skiing Magazine. Phil made his mark on the slopes with no fear, often sharing smiles with ski patrol as he sped by. His love for skiing is evident in the many family trips and the passion his children still share for the sport.

Phil moved to Nantucket in 1975 to further his nascent career as a land developer which had started a few years prior in Stowe, Vermont. Phil went on to develop almost a hundred properties on Nantucket, rarely straying from town, while focusing on the Brant Point area, with a few projects stretching out to Sherburne Turnpike to the west and Monomoy to the east. Phil's career culminated with the development of Gingy Lane, a project that he named after his mother, Angelina "Gingy" Pish.

The only thing Phil loved more than not living by the rules were his three children, always encouraging them to make the most of their lives and follow their hearts and dreams. Phil was always a strong athlete, before he discovered rollerblading he was an avid runner competing in many road races on the island. The last time you saw him he was probably on his bike, perhaps running a stop sign or cutting you off, but at least he was smiling while he did it. Maybe he was at the ice rink teaching you how to skate or singing while he did laps. If you've been on Nantucket long enough you can remember before the rink was built and you might remember him playing chicken/roller hockey with vehicles traveling down North Beach Street. Many people can tell the story of him rollerblading towards their car with a hockey stick in hand and a ball on the end of it, only to pass the ball to himself through the wheels of the car, as to receive the ball on the other end of the moving vehicle.

Phil's love of live performances was vast. Beginning with stage performances as a child, to watching many amazing sporting events live, to going on Rod Stewart's tour towards the end of his life, Phil always loved a live show. Phil's faith in the Nantucket real estate market never wavered and was unmatched, many times offering to potential buyers of one of his spec houses that he would buy the house back after a year, if the rentals were not covering the mortgage. Phil was a lone wolf in the Nantucket real estate game, often telling his children that his contemporaries that needed partners to develop land just needed the drive and the go for it attitude. That was Phil in a nutshell, the gumption to do things coupled with the courage to do them on his own.

One of Phil's knacks was his ability to strike up conversation with anyone, you could often find him sitting on the benches on Main Street or at the Atheneum where he logged many hours reading the paper. He shared his love for the island with anyone who would listen. Phil was a gregarious man, a Nantucket legend who will always be remembered.

Surviving are a son, Joseph Phillip Minella; daughters, Sarah Busk Minella, and Amy Minella Ambrecht and husband Reeves Dunning Ambrecht; grandchildren, Reeves Dunning Ambrecht II, Mercer Phillip Ambrecht and Miller Bogart Ambrecht; and a sister, Patricia Ann Pish.

Phillip was also predeceased by brothers, Joseph Minella and Ralph Joseph Minella; his half-brother, Tommy Pish; his mother, Angelina and stepfather, Peter Pish.

Graveside services for Phil will be held Saturday at noon in Old Forge Cemetery by Rev. August A. Ricciardi. Interment will follow. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Ferri & Gillette Funeral Services LLC, 522 Fallon St., Old Forge. To leave an online condolence visit the funeral home website or Facebook page.