Philip N. Spinelli

Philip N. Spinelli, age 88 of Springfield formerly from Yeadon, Pennsylvania, died peacefully on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, at his home in Springfield.  He was the husband of the late Mary Spinelli (nee Zalewski) who passed in 2015 and with whom he shared 54 years of marriage. 

Born on July 6, 1936, he was the son of the late Luigi Spinelli and the late Maria Spinelli (nee Cavaliere) and first generation born in the United States of America. He is survived by his daughter, Christine (Patrick) McMenamin, his son, Philip (Brenda) Spinelli, his grandchildren Patrick (Nicole) McMenamin, Elena McMenamin, Philip McMenamin, Michael McMenamin, and his great grandson, Callum Patrick McMenamin.

Philip grew up on South Carlisle Street in South Philadelphia.  He was a member of Saint Monica’s parish, and he worked as a delivery boy and later a butcher for John’s Meat Market at 16th and Ritner.  He graduated from Bok Vocational School in 1954 and had intended to pursue a career as a commercial artist, however, he was drafted by the U.S. Army in 1956 and served until 1964. He met the love of his life, Mary Zalewski, while working as a butcher for Frank’s Market in the Fairmount section of Philadelphia.  They married in 1960 and lived with Mary’s grandparents.   As their family grew, Phil moved his family to Laurel Road in Yeadon, PA in 1965 where together they raised their two children.  Wanting a better life for his family, Philip attended LaSalle College in the evening while working as a life insurance salesman during the day.  He graduated from LaSalle College with honors in 1968 with a bachelor’s degree in accounting and went to work for the Insurance Company of North America (later CIGNA) where he held various management positions and earned his Chartered Property Casualty Underwriters designation (CPCU) serving as President of the Philadelphia Chapter.  After retirement from CIGNA, his strong work ethic propelled him into working for several years as an insurance broker and for Concord Sewer Authority.

Phil was extremely proud of his children and his grandchildren.  He enjoyed traveling with his family, vacationing at the beach, and studying history.  He loved cooking family dinners every Sunday and watching his grandchildren’s sporting events.  He was an active member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church where he served as an usher.  He was active with the l’Associazione Regionale Abruzzese Delco, and a proud member of the Marine Corps League, General Smedley D. Butler Detachment #741, Newtown Square.

Funeral Mass: Tuesday, June 17th, 2025, at 12:30 p.m. at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, 2130 Franklin Avenue, Morton, PA.  Visitation will be before mass on Tuesday, June 17th, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:20 p.m. also at OLPH Church.

Interment at Holy Cross Cemetery, Yeadon, PA.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Marine Corps League, General Smedley D. Butler Detachment #741, Newtown Square, PA 19073.