Philip M. Shupe, age 83, of Willoughby Hills, OH, passed away unexpectedly at his home on April 18, 2021.

Left to mourn is Katherine Tennyson, a Phil’s angel beneath his wing, as well as many friends from his work life and his church life.

He was raised Catholic with his sister Judy by his single mother who he referred to as “Queenie”.

Phil was a graduate of St. Joseph High School and, at the age of 18, in 1956, started in an entry level position as a “Messenger” at The East Ohio Gas Company delivering inter-office memos. During his employment, he served in the Army and was Honorably Discharged. He attended Fenn College (Cleveland State University), night classes where he received his degree in Finance and Accounting. He continually moved up the ranks throughout the years, retiring in 1995 as Vice President, Employee Relations. Immediately prior to his promotion to VP, he served as Manager, Labor Relations and Director, Labor Relations where he negotiated labor agreements with the multiple unions throughout the Company’s system. He was a fierce negotiator attempting to get fair and honest contracts for both the Company and the Unions. The exchanges at the negotiating table could be contentious and loud with finger pointing and table banging, but when the sessions were over, both sides would meet at the local tavern and share a drink, many laughs, and relationships built that lasted a lifetime. He always stressed the value of relationships. A mail clerk was as important as the President of the Company. As VP, Employee Relations, he had a staff of 50 employees that he was responsible for. He protected, supported, mentored and some he groomed (some outside his area of responsibility), to someday replace him. Once you were under Phil’s wing, you stayed there.

From someone dear he worked with: “The Employee Relations department was where I got my start in the working world. I worked directly for Phil most of my 22 years there.  He was by my side through my engagement, wedding, and birth of my four babies.  Our families camped, boated, attended sporting events, and Company picnics together.  He was the most generous, loving, at times moody, but truly made me the person I am today. I was truly blessed and enriched because of Philip Martin Michael Shupe.”

He loved to gather people to enjoy his hobby of boating. “Boat In Day” was always a fun event for friends to put his boat in the water for the coming year.

He also served on Boards of the Visiting Nurses Association and the Cleveland Scholarship Program (college now Greater Cleveland); as well as others during his long career. During his life he remained a Catholic, although not practicing.

He was married and divorced twice and had two stepchildren, a cousin and two nephews. He dressed well, worked hard, and played hard.  He had a generous giving heart, and would share anything with you, but on the outside, his personality could be described as “moody.”  You could pass him in the hall and say hello. Sometimes he would not answer at all. Sometimes he would say hi or sometimes he would grumble, and you hoped it meant “hi, looking good today.” But he had a way of candidly telling you what he thought.  While it may not be what you wanted to hear, you were glad he was honest with what he told you.  Never mean or cruel, but always positive.

As mentioned above, he could be moody, and you were not sure which Phil you’d get. You would grow to get used to it, but sometimes he just seemed so sad. He lost “Queenie” and then his sister Judy, so his birth family was gone, but he still had the families he created from his many close relationships.  He loved kids and you could see the joy on his face when he played with them and talked to them.  He always asked about them after they were grown.  He created a circle of friends at East Ohio Gas who will continue on without him.  They are a tribute to his legacy.

Although he had all of these friends, he was comfortable by himself but was kind of a loner. He raised his dogs Duffy, Maggie, and Sandy throughout his retirement years.  But when he found Sandy, he found a dog that gave him such joy and laughter, he did nothing but dote on her, taking her everywhere he went.

But being mostly a loner all changed with a chance encounter when someone from St. Noel’s came to give him communion at the Hospital. He was there for blocked carotid arteries which was a major surgery that scared him.  Just when he needed encouragement, he got it through the Eucharist. That encounter changed the trajectory of Phil’s life and into eternity.

He began his new life at St. Noel’s and his relationship with God.  God was his priority and receiving his Eucharistic Minister Certification was the greatest honor of his life (his words).  He attended Mass every day at either St. Noel or Divine Word, making many friends at both churches. He loved serving the Church in numerous capacities until he could not, due to health issues and the pandemic. But nowadays, those grumbles he used to mutter became prayers that he would say under his breath. He was an example of a true 180-degree conversion.  For the first time in his life, he had true inner joy.  You could see it on his face and in his actions.  His life became God, church activities and Sandy.

Unfortunately, he lost Sandy in February 2020 and spent the isolation of the pandemic alone.  That grief stayed with him until his end, although he continued watching daily Masses through streaming, which gave him some comfort. Now he is where he really wanted to be, with his Savior Jesus Christ, Sandy and all the dogs who went before him, his mom, and his sister.

He has found his forever home

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Divine Word Catholic Church, 8100 Eagle Road, Kirtland, Ohio , Friday, June 4, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. with interment to follow at All Souls Cemetery in Chardon, Ohio.

Donations may be made in Phil’s name to Rescue Village, 15463 Chillicothe Road, Novelty, Ohio 44072

Arrangements made by the Burr Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 116 South Street, Chardon, Ohio 44024.   Information and condolences at www.burrservice.com