Philip A. Borgese

World War II Veteran
 

Philip A. Borgese, one of the City of Bridgeton's most civic minded people died Monday afternoon at his residence after a period of declining health. He was 86 and lifelong city resident.

Phil was best known in recent years as the driving force behind the city's annual Memorial Day parade. For fifty continuous years he either helped to organize or single-handedly made the parade a reality. He put it, as he always did, in straight forward words, "I took the attitude I would not forget. When the parade is over, I look to next year and pray that it will keep going. While I was serving people did not forget us and we should never forget those who served and did not come home. Patriotism will never die." He continued, until his death on Monday, as an advocate for those who had served their county. He served honorably in the Army-Air Corps with the 65th Bombardment Squadron during World War II in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater and was discharged in 1946 as a Staff Sergeant.

He was active in community affairs, having served as a three term city councilman in Bridgeton from 1957 until 1968 and council president for three years. He even had a stint as the city's acting mayor. In addition, he was the Bridgeton City Clerk for three years and the Director of Civil Defense for the city for twelve years. Phil also, at one time, was Cumberland County's Deputy Director of Civil Defense.

His faith was of paramount importance in his life. He was a lifelong member of the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Bridgeton and served his church in almost every capacity. From working on every chicken bar-b-que to serving on the Parish Council, Phil was totally immersed in the life of Immaculate Conception. From securing ads for the church bulletin to being the president of the Holy Name Society and chairing the St. Mary's Cemetery committee, he did anything his church asked of him. He also was a member of the Bishop John Carroll Assembly Knights of Columbus and served as the president of the Cumberland County Serra Club (for the furtherment of Catholic vocations). Phil was a member of the Catholic War Veterans sponsored by the Church of the Immaculate Conception and served on the state level as a trustee of the NJ Catholic War Veterans, Past Adjutant of Post #1558 and the State Vice Commander.

He also held memberships in the Shoemaker Post #95 American Legion and was a past commander and was the longtime president of the Bridgeton Veteran's Council. A lifetime member of the Meade-Woodward Post #1795 VFW in Bridgeton, he was a past president and member of the Italian-American Civic Club and a member of the Italian-American Political Club.

During his employment career, he worked for the 7-Up Bottling Company in Bridgeton for twenty years and also owned a service station in Bridgeton. Phil worked for the City of Bridgeton as Housing Director and Zoning Officer and later volunteered as the city's Relocation Officer. He later worked as the deputy director in that office and served on the city's Redevelopment Agency from 1971 until 1979. From 1980 until his retirement in 1990 was employed by the Bridgeton Housing Authority.

A graduate of Bridgeton High School, Phil also volunteered for over fifty years for the March of Dimes and was named Chairman Emeritus. In addition, he participated as fund raising chairman for the American Cancer Society and was also the community chairman for several years with the American Heart Association.

For his efforts, Phil received several honors and awards during his lifetime including a Distinguished Service Award by the Bridgeton Jr. Chamber of Commerce, the Outstanding Young Man of the Year by the Bridgeton Jaycees in 1955 and Senior Citizen of the Year by the Jaycees in 1992. Outstanding Man of the Year by the City of Bridgeton as well as the John J. Spoltore Sportsman's Corner Award by the City of Bridgeton Recreation Department in 1969. The Cumberland County Serra Club recognized him as Serran of the Year in 1998 and in that same year he was awarded the Sicilian/American Award by the Italian-American Heritage Cultural Society. The SJ Chapter of March of Dimes also recognized his fifty years of service in helping to prevent birth defects.

He was born in Trenton and was the last surviving of eight children of the late Joseph and Concetta (nee Lombardo) Borgese.

Phil was predeceased by his beloved wife of forty-six years, Jean (nee Stone) Borgese in 1993.

He is survived by two daughters, Pat Borgese and Brenda Blizzard and her husband Dan, all of Bridgeton, one son, David Borgese and his wife Joan of Wenonah, three grandchildren, Kristi M. Hagmaier and her husband Walt, Justin D. Borgese and Philip T. Blizzard, one great granddaughter, Carly S. Hagmaier. He is also survived by a number of nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews and cousins. Phil was preceded in death by sisters, Kate Cename, Jenny Panichelli and Mildred Harris and brothers, Joseph, Sam and William "Shadow" Borgese.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Funeral Liturgy at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, 312 N. Pearl St., in Bridgeton on Tuesday morning March 4th at 10:30.

The burial will take place at St. Mary's Cemetery in Bridgeton and the pallbearers will be grandsons, Justin Borgese, Philip Blizzard, Walter Hagmeier and Cory Kross and nephews, William, Robert, Richard and Joseph Borgese. The honorary pallbearers will be nephews, Pat Panichelli Sr, Pat Panichelli Jr and John Borgese and dear friends: Charles Patitucci, Anthony Scarpa, Anthony Mazzeo and Jack Shields.

Friends will be received at the Freitag Funeral Home, 137 W. Commerce St., Bridgeton, NJ on Monday evening beginning at 6 o'clock and also at the Church of the Immaculate Conception on Tuesday morning from 9 until 10:30.

Memorial contributions are suggested in Mr. Borgese's memory to the Church of the Immaculate Conception, 312 N. Pearl St., Bridgeton, NJ 08302 or to The Children's Hospital Foundation, P.O. Box 827790, Philadelphia, PA 19182-7790.

©2009 Freitag Funeral Home, Inc. All Rights Reserved.   Web Hosting & Design Provided by ElectroCities Web Services