Philip Straton Stamatakos, 52, passed away on April 15, 2016 from complications following cancer surgery. He had taken on the challenge of his cancer diagnosis with a singular courage, fortified by faith and love of family. Phil will forever be remembered for his strength of character, selflessness, loyalty and devotion to family and friends. He led a life of purpose, energy and adventure, and he enriched the lives of all who knew him. Phil made the world a better place. Born in Milwaukee in 1963 to Louis and Bess Stamatakos, Phil, the oldest of three brothers, was raised in Okemos, Michigan. His childhood was filled with front-yard football games, fishing trips, spirited disagreements and laughter. His smile was one of a kind, a gift to others and a beautiful thing. He loved and accepted others without reservation, and as a result he established deep and sustained friendships that spanned every facet and phase of his life. An excellent student, Phil was a graduate of Okemos High School, the University of Michigan (A.B., cum laude), the University of Toronto (M.A.), and the University of Michigan Law School (J.D., cum laude). Phil met his beloved wife Sarah in Ann Arbor in 1989. They married in 1996. Sarah was the one and only love of Phil’s life, his equal and his partner. Together, they had four children and created a loving, warm home full of laughter, faith and unity. Phil led a full life – he traveled the world, lived overseas, raced sailboats, wrote poetry and drew. His most treasured times, however, were when he was at the beach with his family and friends, making bonfires, and talking late into the night. Phil also practiced corporate law in Chicago and enjoyed great professional success and fulfillment negotiating corporate transactions. A man of deep and quiet faith, Phil was raised in the Orthodox Church. He maintained a belief that never wavered and indeed strengthened over time. His faith enabled him to accept his diagnosis with grace and fortified his resolve to live. His faith helped make him a magnificent human being who filled others with the joy he felt for life. At the time of his passing, Phil was a member of St. Luke Orthodox Church (Palos Hills), where he served on the parish council, was training to become a deacon, and worshiped with a community he loved very much. Phil is survived by his wife, Sarah, and their children, Thomas, Katherine, William and Elizabeth; his mother, Bess; his brothers, Ted (Alyssa) and Tim (Corrin); and six nieces and nephews (Sophia, Alexandra, Andrew, Ryan, Eliana, and J.D.). The family will receive friends on Sunday, April 24, from noon to 5:00 pm at Hallowell & James Funeral Home, 1025 W. 55th Street, Countryside, IL immediately followed by the Trisagion service. A funeral service will be held on Monday, April 25 at 10:30 am at Holy Apostles Greek Orthodox Church, 2501 South Wolf Road, Westchester, IL immediately followed by an interment at Fairmount Willow Hills Memorial Park, 9100 Archer Avenue, Willow Springs. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Luke Orthodox Church, 10700 South Keane Avenue, Palos Hills, IL 60465. Phil’s love for life and others continues to shine on those who knew and loved him, and will remain with us forever. Funeral Info: 708-352-6500
Phil was a great human being. I remember him telling me a story that to this day left me laughing longer and harder than I have ever laughed in my life. I grieve. RIP, Phil.
I worked with Phil and was VERY fond of this fine young man. I wish there were something to say to his family to make them feel less pain.
Phil’s friend,Sid Kaplan
Phil was the spitting image of his dad. Both of immense character. I am privileged to have known him and will always look up to him, like I did as an 8 year old at Kinewa flag football fields.
What an incredible loss. Memory Eternal.
I never met Phil face to face, but I met Phil (through a life long friend Bob King) through our health challenge and faith. He met this diagnosis head on and didn’t waver in his love of God. He spoke passionately to me about his desire to serve God more and a faith filled love to share his life with his love and best friend Sarah and his beautiful children. My heart is saddened that battle with cancer ended so quickly, but his fight for life and service will continue in his family. I can say I was blessed to have been a small moment in Phil’s life and will not forget him. I pray for you Sarah and your children that you will find peace through your faith, family and friends. Phil made a difference, he touched people’s lives and he was a pasionate follower of Jesus. Phil made a difference.
I was Phil’s assistant when we worked together at McKenna Cuneo in Washington, DC. Phil made work a real pleasure. His schtick was to tease me that Macedonians (my heritage) were actually Greeks, he almost had me convinced, too. His sense of humor and wonderful laugh were most memorable to me. Phil is an awesome human being, solid, genuine, no pretense. I was blessed to know him, he will be missed immensely. My heart and prayers go out to you Sarah and your children. Phil is in the presence of God, in a glorious, magnificent kingdom surrounded by angels, dwelling among the holiest of holy. Much love and blessings to the entire Stamatakos family.
My deepest sympathies to everyone in the Stamatakos family. Phil was a wonderful person and I will always have some of my best life memories from the times he and I spent together in our youth. Phil, you left us all much too soon and you will be missed greatly.