Dee Dee Daugharty Culotta '66 shared this sad report about her brother-in-law, Phil Culotta...
I have some bad news. Phil passed away this morning in his sleep in Az. He had been dealing with cancer for a couple of years. At least he died peacefully in his sleep so that is a blessing. He is with A.J. now.
He was born in March of 1945 and he died at the age of 77 on Nov. 8th, 2022. He was married to Lori Culotta and spent his last several years living in AZ. He will be missed for sure.
Phil was captain of the football team. A.J. Culotta was his brother and was Dee Dee's husband. A.J. was a '64 graduate of Burroughs. RIP Phil and A.J.
LINK TO FIND A GRAVE FOR A.J.
A FEW FACEBOOK COMMENTS...
- Carrie Diaz-LathouwersMy condolences to all his family and friends. RIP
Mary Boriso Jordan
Oh, my goodness....Rest in peace, Phil....
John Panarisi
So sorry to hear
Jolene Firgens
Oh so sorry to hear this. He was a great football player for BHS. Condolences to you Darlene. I’m so sad for you. 
Darlene Culotta
Jolene Firgens Thank you. He is a big loss.
Bev Peters
May he RIP
Martin Lillibridge
RIP Bulldog
Carole Wells
So
sad. Remembering the days my boyfriend, and husband of 15 years,
(Jerry Sutton BHS '62) and I loved watching the Brinkworth-Culotta
plays. The best of times! May his memory be a blessing to his family
as well as to all who saw him play football.
Darlene Culotta
Carole Wells He was a very special guy ...He will be missed..
Nancy Knight
This is Nancy Garner knight. I was Phil’s first girlfriend after his family moved to Burbank. Most of his old friends
we’re from Burroughs even though he went to Burbank. I will let them know. Condolences to his family
Cathy Palmer
Carole Wells My condolences Carole… http://burbankhighblog.blogspot.com/.../jerry-sutton-bhs...
BURBANKHIGHBLOG.BLOGSPOT.COM
Darlene Culotta
Cathy Palmer
Very sorry Carole about losing your husband. I know the feeling. I
lost mine 2 -1/2 yrs. ago. Then my brother Monte one year ago. It's
tough being a widow and watching all of our family members leave us.
Carole Wells
Darlene Culotta
Thank you, Darlene. Jerry and I dated all through high school and
married after I completed my second year of college. We had many nice
years together, but went our separate ways in 1981. We went to every
football game and dance together
from February of 1961 until I graduated in 1963. I am so sorry for
your losses. May you find peace in the memories and love you had for
them.
Darlene Culotta
Carole Wells
Thank you Carole. The memories are bittersweet. Hardly anyone left
to even talk about my memories with anymore. Sad, but happy they are
all in Heaven together.
Donna Luce Veatch Neitman
Condolences to his family! RIP Phil!
RIP Phil!Sue Burnette
RIP
Joseph Baldino
I knew him from Football I was also referee for games when his son Played
Vicki Herrin Fields
Rest in Peace ⚘️
Richard Clarke
Phil
was the “King” in HS for his talent playing football. He was also a
great person, very sad to hear such news. RIP and God Bless, a real loss
for everyone.
Sue Basile
Rip
Julie Guttridge
Sorry for another loss in your family DeeDee. We know Phil is out of pain & with Jesus & AJ. In heaven .
Darlene Culotta
Julie Guttridge
Yes he is, and those 2 brothers adored each other, so they are happy
again now in Heaven together. My brother is with them too. I'm a
little jealous. Miss them all.
Julie Guttridge
Darlene Culotta yes! Monte is with them too !
Deanna Bergman
Kind sympathies to the family! 
Connie Froeberg
So sorry for your loss, Darlene..
Jaydean Gordon Dyer
I
will always think of him as one of the nicest people I’ve known. So
sorry to hear of his passing. Blessings to his family and friends. RIP
dear friend.
Warren Swanson
Oh, so sorry. He was an awesome running back. Loved watching him play.
Mickey DePalo
Rest In Peace
Rod Klomp
RIP
Daniel S Brumley
He was a football legend at BHS. God bless the family.
Sharon Anderson McEntire RIP!! Condolences to the family! 
RIP!! Condolences to the family! Ginny Smallenburg
I
am so sorry to hear this. Condolences to his family. We attended high
school together. He was known to all not only for football but also for
his fun personality.
Lorraine Zensen
Oh
DeeDee I’m do sorry. Please accept my deepest sympathy and know that
Jesus is wrapping his arms around you and the family and is comforting
you all with his peace. 
Donald Matthews
What a magnificent athlete! RIP, Sir, and thanks for the memories.
Jan P. Williams
My Condolences to his Family.
Loved to watch him Play football years ago. RIP Phil
Chuck LeRoy
R I P
Susan Peña MacCaskey
Condolences to his family and friends. RIP
Donald Matthews
Phil
participated in an American Legion baseball game with us I believe in
the summer of 62. He just played a couple innings. The game was at the
Olive Rec. He singled and tried to stretch it to a double. He had the
base but he was so fast he slid head first and
passed OVER the bag bumping his groin in the process! He was tagged
out. He came back to the bench with a strange gait and said, "DAMN,
this game is rough!" We all laughed! I'll always remember that! I
didn't know him personally, but thoroughly enjoyed watching his exploits
on the gridiron! RIP, my friend!
Darlene Culotta
Donald Matthews Phil had a gift of making people laugh.
Donald Matthews
Darlene Culotta
he had a great quality about him. A natural leader. He was a good
childhood friend of a former baseball opponent that played at Burroughs:
Terre Hirsch had nothing but great things to say about Phil.
Dennis Goff
So sad you are experiencing another loss DeeDee...may God bless you and strengthen you in your walk of faith...
Love you DeeDee.
Patricia Sorley
R.I.P. old Bulldog. You were so well liked and admired in high school. All best wishes to your family. Sorry you have left us.
FEBURARY 20, 2023 UPDATE
Today Chris Bird posted on Facebook:
Celebrating my Dad, Phillip J. Culotta, Class of 63’. He went home to be with his Lord on November 8, 2022. (1st pic is with my Mom, Class of 62’) He will be missed. ❤️
So sorry! Always liked Phil.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear about this. Always had a big crush on Phil in high school. Such a good guy.
ReplyDeleteThank you all for the kind and special comments about Phil. I never got to see him play at Burbank, but we have some old footage which was so special for me to see. I was so blessed to marry Phil in 1998. He was my soulmate, best friend and larger than life. Sharing almost 25 yrs with this man was such a joy. Upon moving to AZ in 2000, he began coaching high school football, won a state championship, later coached high school girls lacrosse & along the way coached many student athletes in different sports, which was his biggest passion. He is known here in AZ as "The Coach", many knew who he was, but never knew his name.....as you all have said, he was an amazing athlete along with being an amazing man. I can't begin to tell you how many people he touched along the way. I miss him everyday but I know his body is healed, he's enjoying heaven, playing sports, making folks laugh and sharing his christian faith. Probably suited up immediately to play a Burbank vs Burroughs football game! Forever a Bulldog and forever in our hearts. Until we see you again, all our love.
ReplyDeleteMay the good Lord continue to comfort you and your family I pray…
DeleteMy name is George Shackelford, Phil work for me in 1984 for 3 years. I just received this sad in formation today of his death . Phil was not only a good friend but his input helping me build our business. I remember he always so positive and had more energy than anyone I knew . He was well love by so many people.
ReplyDelete