Philip R. Marsilius

Philip R. Marsilius, 100, passed away peacefully on September 1 at home in the Black Rock section of Bridgeport. He is survived by his wife Phyllis, son Norman, step-daughter Karyn Cunningham and step-sons Todd, Gregg, and Brett Gustafson. He was predeceased by his first wife Esther and son Richard. A Memorial Service will take place on Saturday, September 24, at 2 p.m., at the First Church Congregational, 148 Beach Road, Fairfield.

A long-time resident of Fairfield, Phil led a life of exemplary service to his country and community and has been recognized locally and nationally for his leadership in business.

Born in 1921 to Newman M. and Helen Hansen Marsilius, Phil spent his early years in Bridgeport.  He was elected President of his class at both Harding High School and Norwich University in Vermont, where he graduated in 1943 as class Valedictorian.  Following service in World War II, Phil earned a Master of Science degree from MIT. He later received Honorary Doctor of Engineering degrees from both Norwich University and the Bridgeport Engineering Institute.

From 1943-45, Phil served in the European Theater in Armored Calvary Reconnaissance with the final rank of Captain.  His decorations include 4 Campaign Stars, the Purple Heart and Bronze Star, both with Oak Leaf clusters, the Belgian Croix de Guerre, Order of the Crown, and the French Croix de Guerre.

Following the war, Phil joined his brother Newman to run the family-owned Producto Machine Company in Bridgeport. With subsidiaries in Michigan and Canada, Producto later merged with the Moore Tool Company to become the present PMT Group

During the Korean War, Phil spent a year in Washington, D.C. as the Tool and Die Specialist with the National Production Authority.  This led to his service as President of the National Tooling and Machining Association.  He later participated in a trade mission to Australia to promote two-way trade on behalf of the Department of Commerce.  In 1963-64 he served as President of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME).  He chaired the National Machine Tool Builders’ Association in 1976-77 and represented the organization on a trade mission to China.

Phil also found time to lead a variety of diverse institutions and businesses. He was Chairman of the Board of his alma mater Norwich University in Northfield, Vermont, from 1970-1987.  Locally, Phil chaired numerous organizations, including the Bank Mart, the CT Business & Industry Association, the Manufacturers Association of Southern CT, the Business/Industry Council of the Bridgeport Economic Area, the Connecticut Energy Corp, Bridgeport Hospital, Goodwill Industries, United Way and the YMCA.  He was a long-time member and past president of the Brooklawn Country Club and was a member of the Rotary Club of Bridgeport, Theta Chi Fraternity, Tau Beta Pi, The Newcomen Society, Blue Lodge Mason, the Scottish Rite and the Shriner Pyramid Temple.

Among his special recognitions are the Society of Manufacturing Engineers Lifetime Achievement Award and the SME Joseph A. Siegel Memorial Award, the Tool and Die Institute Award of Merit, the Junior Achievement Free Enterprise Hall of Fame, and the Boys & Girls Club Century Service Award. For over 60 years Phil has spent summers with his family in his home on Lake Kezar in Maine, where he enjoyed swimming, mountain climbing, and golf.