Phillip Grimaldi Sr., of Mount Kisco, formerly of Mount Pleasant, passed away on November 18, 2018 after a courageous battle with Parkinson’s Disease. He was born on May 28, 1937 in the Bronx to Philip Grimaldi and Josephine DiBenedetto Grimaldi. In 1955 he graduated from Evander Childs High School, where he was a standout member of the football and track teams.
He was in the U.S. Army from 1956-58, where he was a medic. He started out as a bricklayer but at the age of 26 he became a Building Inspector with the City of New York. Phil worked 3 jobs to give his family a better life in Mount Pleasant.
At the age of 37 he enrolled at Pace University and in 1977 he was awarded a Bachelors Degree, cum laude, in Professional Studies from Pace. In 1978 he was awarded a Master’s Degree in Urban Affairs from Hunter College. Although he had career opportunities in other parts of the country, he remained local because of his concern for his family and his love of Mount Pleasant.
He was an adjunct professor of sociology at Westchester Community College from 1979 to 2017. He was also a real estate broker who owned Elite Properties in Mount Pleasant, where he specialized in tax grievances. He was an Administrative Assistant to the Town Supervisor in Mount Pleasant and Grants Coordinator for the Town from 1980-85 and 1988-90.
He was a member of the Mount Pleasant Zoning Board of Appeals (1985-1994), candidate for Town Supervisor in Mount Pleasant (1993), longtime Republican Party District Leader , President of the Sherman Park Little League (1983-84), a founding member and Past President of the Thornwood-Hawthorne Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Mount Pleasant Beautification Committee. He was a voracious reader who frequently polished off 3 or 4 books a week. He was happy sitting in his yard with a cigar, scotch and soda and a good crime novel.
He is survived by his beloved wife of nearly 57 years, Frances Grimaldi (Gelsomino), sons Phillip Jr. of White Plains and Michael (Joann) of New Fairfield, Connecticut, grandchildren, Ryan and Emily, sister Geraldine (Robert) Ripp of Pound Ridge and Vero Beach, Florida, brother Gregory (Angela) of Putnam Valley, brothers-in-law Ralph Gelsomino (Paula) of Harrison and Joseph Gelsomino (Vera DeDominicis) of Fairfield, Connecticut and sisters-in-law, Donna DePaolis (Henry) of Katonah and Laura Gelsomino of Hopewell Junction. He will be missed. Reposing, Hawthorne Funeral Home on Sunday, 3-8 PM.
Funeral Mass, Holy Name of Jesus Church, Valhalla, N.Y. on Monday, 10 AM. Entombment, Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Hawthorne, N.Y. HAWTHORNE FUNERAL HOME 21 West Stevens Ave.
If you found any mistakes, or you would like to add/remove to this obituary, please contact us by email: info@obituary.memorial. We never ask money for this.
