Never a Still Man

Dad was born December 1, 1928, in Delaware near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Philip and Reba Stillman. Soon, they moved to Pittsburgh, PA, for work. He stayed there until about 8 years old, and has fond memories of a big hill with lots of stairs down to street, later sledding that same hill. He enjoyed Sunday ice cream trips with his parents and being his mom's pride and joy. She taught to memorize all the nursery rhymes, and was still singing with great grandchildren on road trips.

At age 8 or 9 his grandfather died in North Carolina, and he was sent to help his grandmother to run the farm and general store. He talked a lot about this in his later years, but stories became mixed up. He did help with paid hands and received his first share for sharecropping, learned to smoke field tobacco and drink. Talked about trips to Baltimore to sell produce, no shoes, hurt his foot, got his first shoes. Loved shoes!

He would eventually rejoin his family had relocated in Richmond, Virginia. He went to school at Old Manchester, today Midlothian Middle, where three more would work or finish.

Dipped ice cream after school and graduated at age 17 from 11th grade. He cut his finger tip off in a machine...it healed. But at Christmas he received a unexpected check for injury which he applied to expenses. He was given 1 year at Virginia Tech but could not afford to continue, but was loyal to them for life.

Back home in Richmond he went to work at Dupont and was introduced to Mom, Norine, Reenie or Hon by his sister Audrey. Norine, Rennie was from Danville Pennsylvania and came to Richmond to work on a promise from her uncle to leave the mountains. It was a quick romance she loved to go to Fort Lee sponsored military dances in Richmond, and he wanted to keep her.  Lots of street cars were missed in their romance. Married on June 12th,1948, in Richmond, and started married life above the garage of his parents' house on Courland Avenue with no bathroom.

Anita was their first child, Charlie was on the way, and they would buy a two-room cottage in Chesterfield.  Dad would spend the next 30 plus years building and adding rooms to their family home. Build by day, play cards with Stillmans and friends by night. A full life. Mom's parents would move in, then Ed and Carl her younger brothers. A lifetime of helping each other began. Fond memories of front yard ball games, a big garden, canning, running in the woods, bathing in the creek when the well went low. Mom and dad would travel. It was important, and it showed us children that the world was a big place. Mom and dad would continue with the Western Twirlers until Danny came. Dad loved to fish at Uncle Carl's or on the bay before helping his dad as a masseur and yearly with the guys from work at Currituck Sound. Maybe a little poker, too. Dad would run down the hill outback to respond to volunteer fire and rescue calls for many years. He continued in his way to help others until his death as he never met a stranger.  

Dad worked at Dupont and finished working at Capital City Iron works. He had a second job to support us flipping hamburgers at Kelly's on the pike......life was good!

Anita would marry Mike soon they were off to California.  Life began to evolve.  Charlie left next and soon found Anna.  Grand children would soon arrive 6 plus and over 10 great grandchildren. Mom and dad were faithful caregivers to all. Dad loved family building projects and helped to build our homes. He participated in the Presbyterian church throughout our lives. He served as a Deacon then as a Elder in retirement, and worked on several committees. He rarely missed devotions in independent or assisted living.

Lifelong learners and supporters of Hillsdale College. When we closed the old house their library was filled with sets of books on investing, popular mechanics, organic gardening, as well as philosophy, science fiction: James A Mitchner a few westerns. A complete set of World Book encyclopedias, including science, and children's editions, plus yearly updates! Not to forget the over 1000 cookbooks read and used. Stillmans love to cook and eat good food means good fellowship! 

They returned to dance this time, ballroom. Mom and Dad would travel first for work. That is where Dad learned to play golf with business partners. Then travel continued into retirement.  Dad has seen 49 states and Greece, Turkey, England, Scotland France, Canada and Caribbean. He never met a stranger, and collected friends along the way. Phil told all how blessed he was..........or, as he would say "better than I deserve!"

Brenda for 'Phil'