Philip Anthony Wehrheim

Philip (Phil) A. Wehrheim of Tega Cay SC, died peacefully at home surrounded by his loved ones on May 20, 2018 at the age of 75. He was born January 17,1943 in Brooklyn, NY to John and Barbara Wehrheim.

Phil resided most of his school years in Valley Stream, NY. He was a former Eagle Scout and was awarded Ordeal and Brotherhood distinction in the Order of the Arrow. His scouting career prepared him for his role as the leader of a 27-member Weblos Pack when his son joined the Cub Scouts years later. As a teenager, Phil joined a teenage volunteer group called The Nassau County Animal Patrol. Their services were greatly needed as 24 hour treatment centers were not available and the group had contact with a veterinarian, and several animal rescue groups. After a King features photo spread in the Sunday Times, the group was able to afford to buy a used ambulance.

Phil's love of animals prompted him to study to be a veterinarian while attending LaSalle College in Philadelphia. He later married his high school sweetheart, Sandi, and moved to Huntington, NY and joined the Lloyd Harbor Police Department. After Phil joined the police department, his friends encouraged him to join the Huntington Volunteer Fire Department. He served as the secretary for the Hook & Ladder Company for several years. He was a volunteer fireman for 14 years. While working his way through Civil Service Exams and up the ranks to Chief of Police, he was awarded 7 local commendations and 1 national award. He retired the police department in 1985. He was a member of the New York State Association of Chiefs of Police, The Suffolk County Association of Police, The Suffolk County Police Association and the Retired Police Association of the State of New York.

After 68 years of living on Long Island in NY, Phil moved to Tega Cay, SC in November 2014. Shortly afterwards he met his companion, Edie Ryman, who convinced Phil to join the Carolina Copy Cats. The group is comprised of senior volunteers who mime show tunes and entertain shut-ins and senior citizen groups. Phil's most recent project was joining the Tega Cay Retired Law Enforcement Officers. They are a group with a wide range of law enforcement backgrounds who banded together to support the Tega Cay Police Department and their officers.

Phil is survived by his son Keith (Lisa) of Mooresville, NC, his daughter Pam (Dan Eberle) of Tega Cay, SC and his daughter Debra (Frank Bentler) of Tega Cay, SC. He is also survived by his brother William of Cary, NC and his brother John of Centereach NY. He is also survived by 7 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren, 4 nieces, 1 nephew and his companion Edie Ryman. He was predeceased by his wife of 47 years, Sandra Eleanor Spaeth, and his infant son, Gerard Peter.

A celebration of life service is being planned by the family and arrangements will be announced. Please consider a donation to the Mary Stolfa Cancer Foundation at www.marystolfacancerfoundation.org in Phil's memory. Phil has a personal connection to this non-profit charitable organization.

Our father lived life to the fullest and enjoyed wining and dining until the end. Always remember his humor, kindness, generosity, zeal, passion, compassion and the love he had for us all. Please raise your glass for a toast in his memory. He also wanted to leave us with a final thought:

Don't grieve for me now I'm free
I could not stay another day to laugh
To love, to work or play, tasks left undone
Must stay that way
I've found that peace at the close of the day
If my parting has left a void
Then fill it with remembered joy
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss
Ah yes, these things I too will miss
Be not burdened with times of sorrow
My life's been full, I savored much
Good friends, good times, a loved one's touch
Perhaps my time seemed all too brief
Don't lengthen it now with undue grief

Phil's celebration of life will be held on Friday, June 15th at 11:30 am at the Lake Ridge Clubhouse, 1040 Angelica Lane, Tega Cay, SC 29708. We are having a memorial service and then a day of relaxation, swimming, eating, reminiscing and laughing.

To plant a tree in memory of Philip Anthony Wehrheim, visit the Tribute Store .