GLOUCESTER: Philip Earl Amero, Sr., 81, died on January 14, 2015, surrounded by his family at the Addison Gilbert Hospital following a series of health issues. He was the husband of Karen (Martin) Amero.
Phil was born in Gloucester on January 28, 1933, to the late Edward Amero and Irene (Kennefick) Amero Barrington.
He grew up in a big white house on Essex Avenue near LePages, and loved to ice skate and play hockey on the pond there in the neighborhood. He also enjoyed playing baseball and walking in the woods with his brother and best buddy, Donald.
Phil attended Gloucester Public Schools, and had various jobs in the food industry over the years, including being a cook at The Tavern, Oleanna’s in Rockport, Captain’s Courageous, and in the Addison Gilbert Hospital kitchen, where he and Karen met in 1991. They married in 1992. After leaving the hospital, he worked part-time in Gorton’s Cafeteria.
Among Phil’s very favorite things to do on this earth was to walk Stacy Boulevard, sit up near the bridge and watch the boats, and have a conversation with friends yet to be made. He also enjoyed casting a rod over the railing on the boulevard; never caring if didn’t catch anything. Later in life, when his health began to fail, he loved sitting in the window of his boulevard home and watching the world go by.
His favorite companions were his dog Tiffany, who he loved dearly and whose passing made him so sad he never wanted another dog. But he was talked into giving it another try, and along came Cuddles, the new love of his life and constant companion.
Phil’s sense of humor was well-known among friends and co-workers alike, as well as among Karen’s friends who would call and get a bunch of zippy one-liners from the self-proclaimed “social secretary.”
One friend called looking for Karen, and she told Phil she was moving. Phil said, “Let me know when you need help and I’ll send Karen right over!”
He really looked forward to visits from his children and grandchildren, and his day was better for having seen them.
In addition to his wife of 23 years, he is survived by his children, Philip E., Jr., husband of Mary Amero, David, husband of Marly Amero, Douglas, husband of Debbie Amero, and Linda, wife of Brian Silva; grandchildren, Jason and Keith Silva; his brother, Donald Amero, longtime companion of Marianne Allen; a stepson, Sean, husband of Molly Lufkin; step-grandchildren, Drew, Ally, and Bret Lufkin; a special step-nephew, Richard Martin and his wife Jenn (Brown) and their children, Olivia and Lauren Martin; a sister-in-law, Carolynne, wife of Donald Lawyer; brothers-in-law, Kelsey, husband of Mary Martin, Dennis, husband of Geraldine Martin, Kevin Martin, and Sammy Martin. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews. Phil was predeceased by his brother, Edward “Buddy” Amero, Jr.
His funeral service will be held on Monday evening in the Pike-Grondin Funeral Home, 61 Middle Street, Gloucester at 7 p.m. Visiting hours will be held prior to the service from 4 – 7 p.m. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend. A celebration of his life will be held in the summer. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Cape Ann Animal Aid, 4 Paws Lane, Gloucester, MA or the Open Door, 28 Emerson Ave., Gloucester, MA 01930.