Phil Gripp of West Hartford, passed away at Hartford Hospital in the early hours of Wednesday, May 27. He was born June 28, 1951 to Eleanor and Michael Gripp. Phil grew up in Hartford and was a graduate of Hartford High School, Central Connecticut State University, and The University of Connecticut, School of Law, receiving his law degree in 1982.
Phil was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1988 and faced the effects of this debilitating disease with strength and courage for 33 years. He never complained or felt sorry for himself, which endeared him to his multitude of friends. He said, “You never count what you have lost, only what you still have.”
Phil leaves his brother, Ronald Gripp and a cousin, Joanne Drisdell. He also leaves his life partner of 28 years, Jean Cormier, and numerous friends; especially the “Boys’ Night Out” gang and their spouses.
Phil loved reading the Hartford Courant cartoons and doing the Jumble. His friends will remember his love of Jeopardy, which he and Jean watched faithfully every weeknight at 7 p.m. Phil loved the Peanuts cartoons by Charles Schultz and had a bookcase shelf full of Peanuts books, plus a complete collection of strips from 1959 to 1962. Phil was, as he put it, “a dancing fool” and continued dancing even after walking was difficult.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, June 2, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Sheehan-Hilborn-Breen Funeral Home, 1084 New Britain Avenue, West Hartford, CT. We ask that you wear a mask during the funeral service.
A private burial will take place in Rose Hill Memorial Parkin Rocky Hill.
In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution in Phil’s memory to the Connecticut National Multiple Sclerosis Society, 659 Tower Avenue, 1st Floor, Hartford, CT 06112-1269 Online condolences may be made at www.SheehanHilbornBreen.com