There are few people you meet in life who were as brilliant as Phil and yet made time for one such as me.

Through the years we worked together no one was as accommodating as Phil. Always willing to help me solve the problem of the day and yet never sought the lime light.

Our world will be a dimmer place without that trademark Italian smile he so readily shared with each of us who shared his company.

Jim Doherty

From the first time I met Phil, I was struck by his incredible intelligence, kindness, and character. I’ll never forget his patience with teaching Katy and I how to make pasta from scratch, and how kind he was to our daughter. Phil will be greatly missed by our family

There are so many things that I think of when I reflect on my life with my uncle Phil. His laugh being at the absolute top of the list. I just wanted to share a few memories that to me will always stick out.

As a Kid we visited Austin almost every summer. The first trip though is a standout. Uncle Phil would take us out on the boat and we would spend fun days in the sun soaking it up. We would always come back to a meal prepared by either Phil, Aunt barb or Both. This particular trip sticks out for another reason though. Uncle Phil created a competition with the kids to see who could catch the most grasshoppers (they were invading the property!) He promised to pay us a quarter for each one. Needless to say Charles, Nancy, Liz and I made a few extra bucks that week and Phil kept good on his word. 

Before my now husband and I moved away from St. Louis for the first time Uncle Phil bought us a pasta machine to make pasta at home. He invited Kevin and I over for a pasta making lesson. It was so much fun and so memorable. We have never artfully succeeded on our own making pasta but I am determined to keep trying.

The last time I got to spend time with Phil at home my Daughter CC was there with me. Uncle Phil commented that my husband, Kevin and I were "doing it right".  He then explained that he admired the way we speak to CC like she is not just a toddler, but a person. He encouraged me to use big words with her and always to validate that she may be small but she knows more than the world gives her credit for. That is how uncle Phil always was with us kids. He spoke to us like adults and I will never ever forget that.  I have so many incredible memories, from holidays to cooking lessons to in more recent years bonding over Youtube chef channels. I will miss him greatly. Uncle Phil I love you- thank you for the many many lessons you taught me. I will never make a pasta dish, sip an Italian wine or read my daughter "astrophysics for babies" without thinking of you.

Katy and Kevin's wedding November 13th 2019

Aunt Carm was my Dad's sister and Uncle Mel was my Mom's cousin and our houses backed up to each other for the first 14 years of my life. Phil and Frank were truly like brothers to me. Even when our lives got busy and we didn't see each other often we always had a strong connection. Phil was 6 years older than me and he taught me so much. I too remember the wiffle ball games in our back yards (and a few broken windows) and that rolling chalk board in their basement that Phil felt obligated to "teach" us on (SO boring!). Phil was also my confirmation sponsor and, to this day, I'm pretty good with math because of Phil. He endured so much but I never heard him complain. He was  truly a role model for all of us.

When I think about my Uncle Phil, I can hear his warm laughter, picture his big grin and feel the joy he felt while sharing his hobbies and passions with his family. 

My earliest memories of Phil include him sharing those hobbies with his children and his nieces and nephews -- but unlike so many adults, Phil talked to children like people, not little kids. This meant a lot to me as a kid myself, and as I sit here looking at my newborn son, Buddy, I can't wait to share this piece of Phil with him.

When I was seven or eight, I remember asking Phil why his family's dog was named Cio-Cio. He explained that Cio-Cio-San was the main character in the opera "Madame Butterfly," and then talked to me about opera and his experiences seeing operas in Chicago. He took what could have been a typical adult answer ("You're too young to understand") and instead used it as an opportunity to share his knowledge and experiences with me. 

How was Phil able to make things like opera, exotic foods and math, of all things, exciting to a kid? Through his pure passion and total lack of pretense. As an adult, I appreciate that so much more, including how rare and special it was. I'm so grateful we were able to have a relationship as adults, as well, and connect over opera and cooking when I knew just a little more about both.

Speaking of his love of cooking, even as I know he loved learning about food and experimenting in the kitchen, it was always clear how much he showed his love through cooking for his family.

He was a brilliant man with an incredible, encyclopedic memory for facts and information, seeming to always have an anecdote or experience to share whatever the topic. He taught us so much over the years and enriched the lives of those lucky to know him, but I think what I will always treasure most is how he did it all with respect, kindness and love. 

We love you so much Uncle Phil, and your memory will always be the greatest blessing.

Christmas Day dinner in 2019 at Liz and Billy's house. <3

Aunt Barb and Uncle Phil at Katy and Kevin's wedding in November 2019.

Uncle Phil teaches Billy and Liz how to make Ballotine of Chicken in March 2019. Phil's love for cooking, learning and teaching made him an excellent chef instructor. He graciously shared his passion for cooking with family over the years, and his curious mind and love of learning and knowledge enriched the lives of everyone around him. He made us all better cooks and more appreciative of the art and joy of cooking -- both for yourself and for those you love. And the Ballotine of Chicken? Delicious, of course, as was everything Phil made with love.

Aunt Barb and Uncle Phil (and Murphy the dog!) enjoy family time after dinner at Liz and Billy's house in February 2019. Getting a big laugh from Uncle Phil was always the best feeling, as he had a great sense of humor and a brilliant, warm laugh.

Our condolences and sympathy to his family. 
Sincerely, his neighbors, The Shearburns

Phil was my mother's cousin, but to me growing up, he was always "Computer Phil." Being 20 years younger than Phil, he was so smart and talented in my eyes as a kid, that I just thought of him as smart as a computer. He so patiently talked to me about computers, writing computer programs to solve puzzles, and became very inspirational as I chose a career surrounded by computers and technology like him. His love of Opera and symphony music was always very dear to him, of which I still think of him when I enjoy this music. To Barb and his children, we are all very lucky to have known your husband and father, and he was a great person. I can still hear his distinctive laugh and see his big grin. We will miss him but I know we will see him again at our heavenly reunion picnic.

I graduated from Brentwood High School with Phil in 1966. I am so sorry to hear of his passing. Phil was always kind, thoughtful and considerate to all. My sincere sympathy to the family.
Linda Pribble Hamberg

So many memories…..
Playing waffle ball in the back yard and killing all the grass in the base paths, much to my Dad’s ire. The giant chalkboard on wheels in the basement large enough for a school classroom so “the professor” as my Uncle Joe called him could explain math and physics problems to me until my eyes glazed over. Then there was the infamous dart game incident. When playing darts at our dart board in the basement, one of us accused the other of cheating. It escalated quickly! I chased him outside and around the side of the house. Just as he jumped over the bush in our front yard, I threw a dart and it stuck him in his fanny! He screamed, turned around and threw one back at me. It stuck in my arm! I screamed and ran to my Mom showing her the dart sticking out of my arm! I thought she was going to faint! I’m just glad our Dad wasn’t home at the time or we both would have been subjected to more pain!
At the end he endured so much with dignity and grace.
Going to miss that guy!

My fondest memory of my brother-in-law Phil involves 1992,  a phone call and a quirky movie. Knowing and sharing my penchant for unusual stories, Phil called me one evening to ask if I wanted to accompany him to the theater to see the new movie, Twin Peaks. Of course I jumped at the chance to go! We both watched the TV series every week and eagerly anticipated the movie. We thought the movie was thought provoking and entertaining and talked about it for a long time afterwords. We bonded over a seemingly inconsequential event and I will forever cherish the memory.

Deepest condolences and love to all the family.    I am so grateful for the many sweet memories I have of Phil.   As children,  one of my fondest memories are the plays we used to perform for our parents.  Philip was instrumental in directing the younger cousins in those plays.  Now I am reminded of Act 5 Scene 2 of Hamlet..."May flights of Angels sing thee to thy rest'."    
Until we meet again, all my love, Carolyn

One of my favorite memories with my dad was our trip to Chicago in 2016. We had such a good time eating hot dogs, sightseeing, and learning about the architecture. Dad loved this city! 

OBITUARY

Phil Cunetto

21 September, 1948 – 18 December, 2022

Hoffmeister Colonial Mortuary

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