Phillip John "Phil" Fernino

COOLIDGE — Phillip John “Phil” Fernino, 68, of Coolidge died on April 3, 2010 in Chandler.
Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday at J. Warren Funeral Services, Cole & Maud The Gardens Chapel in Casa Grande. The celebration of life will follow at 11, with Pastor Steve Collins officiating.
Mr. Fernino, known as “Poppa” to his grandchildren and “Pappy” to his friends, was born on March 20, 1942 in Paterson, N.J., the only child of Phillip and Conchetta Fernino. He attended school in New Jersey and after completing high school he joined the Navy, where he proudly served on the USS Topeka. He met Gerri in 1956, and they married in 1966. He worked on the docks as a security guard for several years. He worked at many other jobs, but the one he loved the most and was excellent at was chauffeur.
He moved to Arizona in 1999. He worked for Circle K, Volkswagen, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Corrections Corporation of America, Cotton Express and AAA Transport. He often remarked how much he loved the AAA team. One of his greatest joys was riding his motorcycle, and he loved the open road and the close friends he rode with.
Survivors include three daughters, Jacque Marsh and Jill Fernino of Coolidge and Deeana Fernino of New York; his former spouse and continued friend, Gerri Fernino of Coolidge; 10 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.