Philip “Phil” Parzygnat, 56, died peacefully on June 22, 2024, in Huntley.
Phil was born in Chicago on January 21, 1968, to parents Dennis and Joanne (now Schneider) Parzygnat.
To know Phil was to know his bigger-than-life smile. That smile that came along with the most infectious laugh, the kind of laugh that turns heads and just makes you smile when you hear it; you’re probably hearing it in your head right now. It was unforgettable. Phil was such a laid-back guy, but when he entered the room, he had an energy he brought with him, an unintentional energy he didn’t even know he had. His presence permeated the space and made everything feel complete, a little bit lighter and a whole lot funnier. It was simply who he was – someone who effortlessly made the world a brighter place.
Phil had been an ironworker since he was 19, and for him, it was more than just a job. It was a brotherhood. He was a proud member of Local 63 from the very beginning until the day he hung up his work boots. His work ethic was unmatched and his dedication to his Union was second only to his family. He was a family man in every sense of the word.
Phil's love for his mom knew no bounds. He proudly embraced being a mama's boy and was never shy to tell anyone how her love, support, and guidance made him the man we all knew and loved. His profound respect and admiration for Joanne quietly influenced his parenting style, shaping the way he raised his own children, determined to create the bond as strong as he had with his sister, Debbie.
Phil was the ultimate dad; he was the dad other kids secretly wished they had. He was the dad other kids would come to for help or advice. He was that big guy sprinting down the football field with a vein about to pop out of his forehead screaming those words of “encouragement”, he was the guy that checked your oil when you just stopped by, he had an odd obsession with the tread life on your tires. He was the daddy that was exhausted after work but would still drive out of his way to bring you ginger ale and medicine when you were sick. He was your first phone call when you knew you were right, and your sibling was wrong and needed dad to straighten them out. He had nothing but love for his kids. The good, the bad and everything in between he was always in their corner. His love was limitless and without condition, he was determined to push them to better, show them how to work hard, love harder and live a simple, yet full life regardless of how many fabulous gray hairs it cost him! Raised on dad wisdom, hilarious comebacks and sarcasm he solidified not only their sibling bond but left himself permanently etched on their hearts.
Phil may have been the ultimate dad, but he was a legendary grandpa. When Paparino arrived, you knew it before he even made it to the door. The kids could hardly contain their excitement and he matched it! He could turn a teeny tiny seed into the Great Pumpkin overnight and had an in with Santa himself to deliver a few special gifts early on Christmas Eve.
He would say he was lucky that he got to share all of this with the love of his life, his wife, Dina. He was adamant that it wasn’t Dina that was lucky to have him, but rather he who was lucky to have her. Phil couldn’t have asked for a better wife, a better person to share his life with, a better woman to be his wife. He wore his love for her on his sleeve and made her a part of everything he did. He spent the last 10 years of his life with contentment in his heart, peace in his life, and true happiness in mind knowing he had found his soulmate.
Phil touched countless lives, although his memory will forever remain in our hearts, he leaves a void that can never be filled, and he will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him. If you were lucky enough to know Phil, you know the world just got a little bit dimmer without him in it.
Phil is survived by his beloved wife, Dina Parzygnat, his mother, Joanne (Ken) Schneider, his children, Bailey Parzygnat, Abby (Jared) Hilton, Edward Parzygnat, and Philip Parzygnat Jr., stepchildren, Callie (Dylan) Becker, Ethan Eggert, and Kennedy Eggert, his grandchildren, Hudson, Kinleigh and James, and his siblings, Debra (Michael) Dennis, Lori Melnyczuk, Laura (Joanna) Parzygnat, Michael Parzygnat, Joseph Parzygnat, and Annie Parzygnat-Eori.
He was preceded in death by his father, Dennis Parzygnat.
Visitation will be Monday, July 1, 2024, from 4 p.m. to time of prayers and memories at 6:30 p.m. all at DeFiore Funeral Home, 10763 Dundee Road, Huntley.
A second visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 2, 2024, at 9 a.m. until time of Funeral Mass 10 a.m. all at St. Mary Church, 10307 Dundee Road, Huntley.
For the better part of Phil’s adult life whenever the opportunity arose, he was sure to remind us when he dies let it be known… so, we leave you with this, Phil’s final words to the world, “Fabulous was a full-time job” – Phil Parzygnat
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I am so sorry for your loss. Phil was always kind and knew how to make a room light up when he walked in! He will forever be missed. Sending my hugs to the whole family.
Deepest sympathy to your family.
Sending my deepest and most heartfelt condolences to your family at this time.
I will miss the laughs, my friend Prayers to the entire family Thinking of all of you
I will truly miss working and knowing Phil.We lost a great person that truly made work bearable.He will be missed very much.
Will miss you, my adopted son. Many fond memories between you and your close friend Kenny. Rest In Peace.
My sympathies to your family and may god bless you!! Phil was a great guy I got to know from coaching Football for Huntley. Always a pleasure to talk to. He will be missed and sorry to hear about this!
So very sorry for this great loss of an even greater man. Rest peacefully in Paradise! 🙏🏻💙😇
Sorry for your loss. Phil was a great and friendly guy. He was always in a great mood on the job site and a pleasure to be around. You’ll be missed out there Phil! Prayers from our family to yours.
Our condolences to the entire family. Even though we didn't know Phil personally, he lived in our heart's through Dina. Wonderful tribute of him. God bless
My condolences to your family. I’m sorry I never got to meet him, as I just met Dina a few months ago, but this obit was so beautiful, I feel the love and the void he left. Please know my thoughts and prayers are with you all.
May the wonderful memories you shared bring you a little bit of peace during this difficult time for you and yours. We love you.!
I never met Phil but I could swear I have just looking at pictures of the 2 of you made me so happy inside Please continue to post them Dina 🙏😍❣️
So Sorry for your loss. Hold tight to the great memories.
Dina I am so sorry for your loss sounds like he was the person we all strive to be
Being German friends of Debbie and Mike we did not have the chance to meet Phil personally - however, knowing Debbie and looking at the great photo we can very easily relate to the words above. Traveling back to Germany our thoughts are with Debbie and the whole family we appear to know well from many shared dinners with the Dennis family.
To Bailey, Ed, Phil and Abby....I am so sorry for the loss of your dad. He was a very special man that shaped some wonderful kids. I am sorry that I will miss the visitation for your dad but please know that you are all in my heart. Deepest sympathy hugs to all of you.
Thinking of all of you during this difficult time. I have known Dina, since we were 14 y/o, in all these years I have never seen her shine and smile as she has with Phil. My heart breaks for the all of you, I am so sorry for this tremendous loss. My thoughts are prayers and with you and your family.
Sorry for your loss! Wonderful tribute of him . Goodbye my friend!
Sending my deepest condolences to all those he leaves behind.
My condolences to the family, my prayers are with you and I love you all