Philip E Stemple

US Army Veteran, AT&T Retiree

Philip Edward Stemple, known by family and friends as Phil, passed away on Monday, December 18, 2023 at Kindred Hospital in Havertown Pennsylvania after a lengthy illness. Phil put up a long and valiant fight with urothelial cancer but never complained about his illness and treatments. Phil was born on September 5, 1943 in Aurora (Preston County) West Virginia, a small rural town in the mountains of West Virginia. Phil's parents, both deceased, were Ezra Paul Stemple and Opal Kidwell Stemple. Phil was the youngest of the four Stemple children. He is survived by brother Stephen W. Stemple of Elkins, WV and Steve's family; Sharon Stemple Hinchman (Mike) of Elkins, Michael Stemple (Janice) of High Bridge, NJ, and Alan Stemple (Patty) of North Charleston, SC. Phil was predeceased by brother Jack Stemple (Janet) of Herndon, VA and sister Nancy Stemple Williams (Ray) of Evans, CO. Phil made a point of maintaining strong family ties planning and attending many family reunions at Blackwater Falls, WV. Phil was also predeceased by his in-laws, Phil and Theresa D'Amicantonio of Wayne, PA.

Phil is survived by wife Marie D’Amicantonio Stemple and 3 children: Melissa Stemple Owen and Son-In-Law Christopher Owen with grandchildren Amelia and Natalie Owen of Garden City, NY; Meredith Marie Stemple of Flemington NJ and Matthew Philip Stemple and Daughter-In-Law Megan Johnston with grandchildren Ezra and Emmett Stemple of Kalamazoo, MI. Also survived by Brother-In-Laws Louis (Brenda) D’Amicantonio and Robert D’Amicantonio, and nephews Tony (Ann), Michael and Stephen of PA.

Phil loved to be outdoors in the wide open spaces. He enjoyed skiing, tennis and fishing. Phil was a member of the United Methodist Church in Aurora and attended Aurora schools graduating from Aurora High School in 1961. He stayed in close contact with his friends and classmates often attending class reunions. Phil is a charter member of the OUGABUS society. Following graduation, Phil attended and graduated Shepherd University where he earned a BS in Mathematics. Following graduation, he was drafted into the US Army in Military Intelligence. He attended Officer Candidates School and rose to the rank of Captain. Phil served during the Vietnam War, stationed in Okinawa and Japan with the mission of detecting enemy satellites. Phil learned computer systems and following his return to the States, he tought Computer Systems at Fort Devens, MA. Phil was honorably discharged in May of 1970 and was recruited by Bell Telephone Laboratories in Piscataway, NJ. Phil joined a newly formed project called “Direct” with the mission of automating the telephone directory. At the time, Bell Labs was recruiting primarily former military men. Since most of Phil’s co-workers were former military, many single, and not from NJ, they all formed very close, lifetime friendships. In September of 1971, Phil met, through mutual friends, his future wife Marie D’Amicantonio of Wayne, PA an employee of AT&T’s Treasury Department, co-located with Bell Labs. While their backgrounds were very different, they shared many of the same values and goals and married on October 6, 1973 at Our Lady of Assumption Church in Strafford PA. Marie and Phil recently celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary receiving a special blessing from Most Reverend James F. Checchio, Bishop of Metuchen, NJ. Following their marriage, Phil and Marie settled in Bridgewater, NJ where their 3 children were born and later moved to Basking Ridge, NJ. Phil taught his kids to sail, fish, garden and other outdoor activities. Family vacations were spent on the Outer Banks and NJ Shore. After 30 years of service at AT&T, Phil retired and later consulted for Price Waterhouse Coopers. Following retirement, the Stemples settled in Flemintgon, NJ. Phil never lost his love of the outdoors after retirement and was happiest when he was riding his tractor, snow blowing his driveway, cutting down trees, and tending a garden. Phil was an active member of his community, including Scout Master of Basking Ridge Boy Scout Troop 351, helped coach Little League, and was very active in the Flemington United Methodist Church serving on the Board of Trustees, an usher and counting of collections. The family would like to thank all of the medical professionals who cared for Phil at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia, Einstein Hospital in East Norton, PA, Hunterdon Medical Center in Flemington, NJ and Kindred Hospital in Havertown, PA. Phil’s family is very appreciative of the friendships and support Phil’s many friends and neighbors have provided over the years along with the medical care provided by his doctors, nurses and therapists. He will be deeply missed.

On Thursday, December 21st, there will be a visitation at Countryside Funeral Home in Three Bridges, NJ from 2pm – 4pm and 6pm -8pm. And on Friday December 22nd, visitation will be at Alleva Funeral Home in Paoli, PA from 2pm – 4pm and 6pm -8pm. A funeral service will be held at Paoli United Methodist Church, Saturday December 23rd at 12:30pm with a burial immediately following at Calvary Cemetery in Conshohocken, PA.

Memorial donations in Phil’s name can be made to Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Department of Urology or Hunterdon Medical Center.