Philip DePietro, Jr.

Philip DePietro Jr., 78, of Whitehall, PA, passed away on March 11, 2025 in Lansdale, PA. Born in Easton, PA, Phil was the son of the late Philip and Philomena "Lena" (DeVita) DePietro, proprietors of the Glass Bar in Freemansburg, PA. His childhood was filled with lasting memories.

Graduating from Liberty High School in 1964, Phil immediately enlisted in the US Navy. After being discharged he became deeply involved in Union causes after working at Bethlehem Steel. He later became a truck driver and worked extensively for the Local Teamsters Union 773 and serving as president in the mid 1990's.

Since retirement, Phil served on the board of the Unitarian Universalist Church of the Lehigh Valley, arranging and providing meals and shelter for the homeless, before moving to Florida. He served as President of the AE/AOE/AUX Sailors Association from 2019 to 2024 organizing Naval Reunions with his shipmates and other veterans. He was very outspoken about his political views and fought against social injustice. One of his greatest pleasures was riding his BMW motorcycles throughout the country with his wife and their dog Toby. Phil also served as president of the BMW Riders of Tampa Bay Association from 2017 to 2022.

He is survived by his current wife of 24 years, Patricia "Cookie" (Burnett); children from his first marriage, Paul, Gina (Arthur) Huczko (children, Brooke and Taylor), Philip III (children, Ava and Philip IV with April); step-daughter, Kellie Lynn (partner Laurence Poli) of Chalfont, PA (children, Logan and Gavin with Paul Richardson); brothers, Anthony (Arthur Garcia) of Freeport, NY, James (Richard K. Begbie) of Allentown, PA; extended family and relatives: sister-in-law, Stephanie (Peter); nieces Christina (Mike) Hirschman of Northampton, PA, Danielle (Josef) Kronbichler of Bethlehem, PA; nephew Derek (Cassandra); first wife, Beatrice (Kish) DePietro. He was sadly predeceased by his older brother, Peter.

Services: Friends and family are invited to his visitation from 10-11am Saturday, March 29, 2025 at the Connell Funeral Home, Inc. 245 East Broad, Bethlehem, PA with a Memorial Service to follow at 11am. There will be a private burial with full Military Honors at Washington Crossing National Cemetery, Newtown, PA.