PHILLIP A. MARK

Obituary

of Dearborn died April 17, 2009 at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. He was born to James and Emmelie Mark on May 28, 1926 in East Tawas, Michigan. Phil served his country in the US Navy during World War II aboard the USS Murphy, in both the Atlantic and Pacific Theatres. A professional musician and music educator, he taught vocal music in the Dearborn School District for 40 years and served as Choir Director at St. Albert the Great, Sacred Heart and St. Anselm parishes. Phil worked for the Dearborn Recreation Department for many years, directing summer theatre productions and conducting the Community Chorale. He had a wonderful singing voice and was a member of the American Male Chorus and the Dearborn Choral Art Society. He also concertized with the Langsford Singers as member and soloist, both locally and in Europe. Phil enjoyed camping and travel during his summer breaks, creating many wonderful family memories. He really enjoyed golfing with his friends and liked to work on improvement projects for his home and yard. He was a voracious reader and wordsmith, and his quick wit, laugh and mannerisms will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. Phil is survived by his children Marcia, Brian (Roseanne) and Christopher, and was a loving Grandpa to Sean, Atlee and Sophia; survived also by his brother Bob (Barbara), siblings-in-law Bill (Berniece), Madelyn, Margaret and Patrick (Rosie), and many nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends. He was preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Earlene, for whom he cared with steadfast devotion through her long struggle with Alzheimer's disease; also predeceased by brothers Jim and Jack and sister Dora. Visitation will be at Howe-Peterson Funeral Home Dearborn Chapel, 22546 Michigan Ave. on Wednesday, April 29 from 4-9 pm and Thursday, April 30 from 1-9 pm, with a scripture service at 7 pm. A funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday, May 1 at 10:30 am at Sacred Heart Church, 22430 Michigan Ave., Dearborn. Please share your memories with the family at howepeterson.com. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the family to create a scholarship fund for aspiring musicians in Phillip's memory.

Published in The Detroit News on Apr. 26, 2009

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Original information source:  Gordon Bremenkampf on January 31, 2014.