Obituary of Philip Mancoff

Grandpa Phil was so interested in life! He loved his family and his family loved him. He was a pilot. An accomplished gardener. He could build or fix anything. He is survived by his wife Elinor;, two daughters, Carol and Deborah; four grandchildren, Jon (Jamie), Steve (Michelle), Rob (Heidi) and Jen (Steve); and seven great-grandchildren, Alec, Danny, Sophie, Chelsea, Eli, Zeca and Jake -- soon to be joined by a new great-grandson expected in March 2011. A high school graduate who started college but whose formal education was interrupted by World War II, Grandpa Phil never stopped educating himself. He was interested in everything, and could speak intelligently on many subjects. He leaves an impressive library of books, tools, art supplies, videotapes and all kinds of other learning materials. Most importantly, he leaves behind a legacy of incredibly strong attachment to family and friends. My Grandpa Phil had millions of funny stories to tell about growing up in Chicago; serving his country first as a civilian who helped train British pilots, and later as a member of the Army Air Corps; and as an electrician. But his favorite subject always was what was happening with his family.