Phillip J. Pierucci
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Phillip Pierucci of Lawrence and Pittsburg, Kansas, formerly of Wilton, Connecticut for 22 years, died on December 2, 2024. Phil is survived by spouse, Lana, of the homes, daughter, Alison and spouse Ralph Wiegmann of Castle Rock, Colorado; a sister, Elaine Harmon of Modesto, California; nephews, Mark Mead, Modesto and Daniel Mead of Montecito, California; and stepmother, Dr. Janet Pierucci of Gulala, California. A son, Lee Phillip, predeceased Phil. Phil was born to Leo and Gertrude Pierucci in Bakersfield, California in 1946.
Phil attended Garces schools in Bakersfield until high school, when he transferred to East Bakersfield High where he excelled on the football and baseball fields. Phil was a U.S. Marine Corp reservist.
He was a business executive whose business travels took him to many states as well as Finland, England, Scotland, Netherlands, Italy, France, South Africa, Argentina, Japan, and Mexico many times where he was responsible for two plants.
Phil did find time, however, to assist coach his son’s baseball summer teams, as well as serving as President of the Wilton High School Football Booster’s Club.
Phil’s last position before he retired was Senior Vice President, Huhtamaki Corporation, responsible for all retail businesses which included the Chinet products.
Phil’s wish was for no flowers and no service at all. Cremation is by Warren-McElwain Mortuary.
Extending my heartfelt condolences to Lana, Allie & Ralph. Remain strong for each other.
Phil was an accomplished man w/ a pleasant nature. Our conversations always ended w/ a satisfying chuckle!
I’m blessed to have called Phil my friend.
I was 2 years older than Philip and 2 years younger than his sister Elaine. My mother Rose White, was Philips Dads sister. That made us 1st cousins. In my younger years, freshman at North High in Bakersfield, I spent many days living with our grandparents, Ana and Amerigo Pierucci on 17th street in Bakersfield near Philip. We spent many days playing Ping pong. Over one 2 week period we played for several hours a day. I believe around 300 games, and were about even in wins and losses. Philip was always looking for a challenge. We lost contact when my parents moved to So. California in High School but I followed he and Lani through X-mas cards. My condolences
I was 2 years older than Philip and 2 years younger than his sister Elaine. My mother Rose White, was Philips Dads sister. That made us 1st cousins. In my younger years, freshman at North High in Bakersfield, I spent many days living with our grandparents, Ana and Amerigo Pierucci on 17th street in Bakersfield near Philip. We spent many days playing Ping pong. Over one 2 week period we played for several hours a day. I believe around 300 games, and were about even in wins and losses. Philip was always looking for a challenge. We lost contact when my parents moved to So. California in High School but I followed he and Lani through X-mas cards. My feeling for everyone during these holidays.
I have many happy memories of the early years when we were just starting our families in Denver. Many games of bridge, picnics with families and sharing of holidays are some of the best. We maintained a friendship for over 50 years and I am grateful for that friendship. Thankful the illness was brief and that he was surrounded by family.
In early 1973, Phil interviewed me for a financial analyst position at Arcata, a company with about 23 divisions including Pacific Press, a printing plant in Los Angeles. I was a Vietnam infantry vet who had a moustache that was my symbol of defiance to the naysayers. Vietnam vets were generally out of favor at the time.
Phil’s memorable question during the interview was when he asked me if I would cut off my moustache. I said no, thinking it was the wrong answer and I was going to get bounced.
Boy was I wrong. A year or so later when I was promoted to be the San Jose division’s controller and Phil was promoted to financial staff at the Menlo Park headquarters, we became roommates. Phil was the opposite of weak-kneed. There was no lack of mental fortitude in Phil. He was competitive at everything but knew the line between that and being a loyal friend. He taught me the game of canasta and quickly gained a seven-game lead. We probably played two or three hundred games of canasta, and his lead held the same. Several years later when I visited him and Lana in Denver where he was running a printing plant, we played again. Still tough as nails.
We considered going into business together but decided against it. Phil pursued a corporate career and rose to the top of his profession – as expected. I left the corporate environment and went into business for myself. We followed each other’s careers for a number of years both appreciating the aspects of the other’s. They were considerably different but what we wanted. We both did well. Our experience at Arcata laid a solid foundation. That with Phil finding Lana did the trick.
We lost track of each other for about ten years as I forgot to notify him and Lana of a move I made. But I caught up to him last year and we had a good conversation. We were the same albeit in a different stage of life. We were both happy with where we were.
Thank you Phil. You made a significant contribution to my life at a time when I most needed it.
And Lana – I still play Hot August Night on an I-pod in my car. In fact it popped up yesterday.
Jim Hansen