Phillip Patino

Phillip graduated from Fresno State in 1949, where he majored in Physical Education and minored in Spanish. He then left for the Army, where he was stationed in Germany. Once back from the Army, Phillip began his teaching career in Woodlake and then moved to Fowler High School where he coached basketball and taught Spanish for six years. He continued his career in Fresno Unified School District at Webster and Calwa Elementary, Sequoia, Hamilton and Kings Canyon Middle Schools, and Hoover, Bullard and McLane High Schools. He retired in 1991, but returned to work with student teachers and interns at the Kremen School of Education at Fresno State until his retirement in 2008.

Phillip was involved in numerous organizations supporting youth and education. In the last years of his life, he was active in the Airport Optimist Club, the Association of Mexican American Educators, Fresno State Chicano Alumni and the Kremen School of Education Alumni, receiving numerous awards over the years for his commitment to service.

Phillip loved many things, but his first love was his wife Shirley. They met in 1958 on a blind date, were married shortly after, and she will always be the love of his life. They were blessed with six children and 15 grandchildren.

As we say goodbye to our beloved husband, dad, grandpa, brother, uncle and friend, we ask that you honor Phillip by living life how he did - strive to bring out the best in each other, maintain an upbeat attitude which is passed on through our children, and do your part to make our community a better place. We love you Phillip and will miss you always, but know that you have inspired us all and have made those around you better people.

He was preceded in death by his parents Frank and Frances; and his siblings, Eloise, Tony, Vera and Tonia.

He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Shirley; children, Anna VanderPoel and husband Jay, Anthony Patiño and wife Andria, Diana Page and husband Tony, Cathy Patton and husband Mark, Teresa Iglesias and husband Joe, and Patty Madron; and his 15 grandchildren, Christopher, Sarah, Amanda, Alyssa, Michael, Nathaniel, Ashley, Jacqueline, Mackenzie, Lauren, Derrick, Dominic, Lindsey, Allie and Gabriella. He is also survived by his siblings Margaret, Ruth, Ave and Frank; and his numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held at Whitehurst, Sullivan, Burns & Blair Funeral Home on Thursday, May 3, 2012 from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. Recitation of the Holy Rosary will follow at Sacred Heart Catholic Church at 7:00 p.m.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church at 1:00 p.m. on May 4, 2012 with interment following at St. Peter's Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made in Phillip's name to the Association of Mexican American Educators, Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 529, Fresno, CA 93709.