Patrick Thomas Philbin

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Patrick "Rick" Philbin in Pensacola, Florida after a sudden stroke. He was surrounded by his immediate family in his final days. He was a cherished husband, father and uncle. Rick was born in Chicago, Illinois to Thomas and Anne Philbin. He grew up in the Old Town district until the family moved to new housing in Bensenville, Illinois in 1956. He spoke of many good memories from his time living in Chicago, as well as growing up on Green Street in Bensenville, spending many hours playing with the kids on his block and making lifelong friendships. After graduating Fenton High School, he went on to obtain a geology degree at the University of Illinois, following which he entered the U.S. Air Force, serving for four years in a weather squadron stationed out of Shaw AFB. He obtained a degree in meteorology at Texas A&M during his service. He served as a navigator on planes flying into hurricanes, gathering data. Upon his discharge, he briefly worked as a road manager for his brother's band, REO Speedwagon. Then he returned to the Chicago area to live and reconnect with old friends, through which he met his future wife, Sharlene. They spent 51 years together, marrying in 1977, and having two boys in the latter 1980s. When his parents bought a two-story Victorian home in Chicago in the 1970s, he began remodeling it and fell in love with carpentry and construction, and enjoyed many creative activities in that field for the rest of his life. Upon Rick and Sharlene's move to Pensacola in 1981, he poured much love into remodeling and maintaining their 1907 cottage-style home. He was a Mr. Fix-It extraordinaire, always keeping things in shipshape, and always happy to help others with their projects and needs. He attained his contractor's license, and worked in many different areas, including kitchen cabinet installation, granite countertops, furniture making, and home remodeling in general. He loved to cook, and he also loved to paint plaques with beautiful flowers and witty sayings for his family and friends. He had a generous heart and is going to be missed dearly. Rick is preceded in death by Thomas and Anne Philbin, his parents, Gregg Philbin, his brother, and many aunts and uncles and cousins, as well as his sister-in-law Jessie Hunt and his brother-in-law Darrell Place. He is survived by his wife, Sharlene, and their two sons, Matthew (Hannah), Gainesville, and Cody, Pensacola, as well as 13 nieces and nephews and 25 great-nieces and great-nephews. It was his wish to be cremated, and inurnment will be in Barrancas National Cemetery, Pensacola, Florida. A service will be held there on March 7, 2025, at 2:30 p.m. Anyone who wishes to attend should meet at Faith Chapel on Beverly Parkway at 1:30 to join the procession and travel to the base. Family and friends are invited to join us for food, drinks and fellowship at Cactus Flower on 12th Avenue immediately following the service at Barrancas.

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Patrick Thomas Philbin

March 15, 1946 - February 15, 2025