Phillip "Phil" Hamula

It is with great sadness I announce the death of my husband Phillip (Phil) Hamula at 78 years of age in Orlando, Fl, on August 21st 2020, after a four year battle with heart valves. He tempted death more than once, but because of his desire to thrive he willingly took on extra procedures which brought him to New York and Cleveland. Phil was always open to new adventure and this was no exception. These extra procedures gave him 2 years more to grow closer to those he loved. Phil had a gentle spirit. He was also kind, impulsive and focused with a great sense of humor. In his last years with me he never lost these qualities. We were blessed to celebrate 50 years together. Phil was born in 1942 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada to Walter Hamula and Jean Hamula (Radosz). He grew up on a small farm that edged up to the North Saskatchewan River. He had imaginary friends and developed his love of animals in this spot. He traveled by his horse, Jenny, to his one room (grades 1-12) schoolhouse 2 miles away, slept in chicken holes, and ran with his dog Rex. In his middle school years his family moved from the farm to a small town called Thorsby, about 50 miles from Edmonton. He was always searching out his friends, a tireless traveler with a specific plan in mind. At 14, his sister Charmaine (Sherry) was born. He finished high school at Jesuit College in Regina Saskatchewan. Often he stayed with his paternal grandmother and accompanied her to the Polish Church. He felt a deep closeness to his Polish/Ukranian heritage. One year of college did not work for him, so he joined a telephone company climbing poles...Much fear in that job led him to join a Finance Company. While his career was blossoming in 1970, he met and married me...shortly after, Lisa, our 1st daughter was born. Then started our many transfers with his company, “The Associates”, with promotions from Supervisor to Training Director in Canada, taking him from Edmonton to Vancouver, Ottawa and Toronto. In 1980 Phil was transferred to Dallas and became Training Director for Canada, the US, and England. At this time a 2nd daughter Julie-Anne was born. Always a great networker, Phil discovered an opportunity as a Mortgage Broker in Orlando. This would lessen his travel and allow him to spend more time with his family. In 1988 we made the move and have lived in the Orlando area ever since. I was also blessed to work with him for many years. He was a great leader. Phil was a very involved Dad and Grandpa. He drove his daughters and granddaughters to and from school and supported their various activities. Lisa was involved with ballet from a young age and he sat through many ballet recitals. She even recruited him to be a performer in The Nutcracker. He never said no to his girls if they asked him. He took many cross country trips with Julie for her operatic training and jobs. His granddaughters took him on a different path of activities….down the road of track and cross country running. Sports activity was an integral part of Phil’s life. Baseball was a huge focus of his teenage years. Older members of a local baseball team recruited him for his notoriety as a left-hander and striking out batters. His physical abilities led him to excel in curling, tennis and golf (with 2 holes in one). He loved to watch football and golf, and was even known to place a bet or two. Phil also loved to drive. He traveled with his dad who was an Esso Dealer. He also planned many road trips for us, starting with our honeymoon drive from Edmonton to San Francisco. When the banking economy shutdown came after 2008, Phil reinvented himself utilizing his driving talents for the car auction as well as delivering auto parts. His last two road trips comprised a cross country move from New Jersey to California with his daughter, Julie, and a trip in 2019 with myself and Julie to the Bronx for a heart valve repair. Phil was not someone who loved to study, but on his 73rd birthday he wrote and passed his Real Estate License, and joined me in the business. We had more fun than work. Phil was a history lover from a young age and continued to read history and historical fiction right up until this year. In March he purchased “August 1914” by Solzhenitsyn but never got to begin it. If you are also a history buff, call me as I would be thrilled to pass it on. Phil served on the FAMB Board of Directors from 1990 to 2008. He was also President of the Central Florida FAMB in 1998. He was a member of St Margaret Mary Catholic Church in Winter Park Phil loved First Responders...Police, Firemen, EMT’s and would be pleased to have donations sent to any one of these parties. We have chosen the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. You can donate in his name on the website nleomf.org or by phone 202 737-3400. Phil also loved flowers so if you prefer to send flowers he would also be thrilled. Phil is honored and loved by myself, Lorraine Hamula: his daughters Lisa (Allen) McAnally of Oviedo and Julie (Martin Mazik) Hamula of Slovakia: his granddaughters Audrey and Lauren; his sister Sherry (Keith) Gwynne, and nephews Cameron, Ryan and Jordan; many supportive relatives, good friends, favorite dogs, Fifi and Clarke. He was predeceased by his father Walter Hamula, and his mother Jean Hamula. Memorial and visitation will be held on September 1st beginning at 7:00pm at DeGusipe Funeral Home 9001 Maitland Ave, Maitland, FL, 32751. For those who wish to attend virtually, beginning at 7:00pm, click on this link to view Phil's services: https://www.facebook.com/DeGusipeFH Funeral Sept 2nd (Julie’s birthday) 11:00am at St Margaret Mary Catholic Church, 526 N Park Ave, Winter Park, FL, 32789. This will be live streamed at 11:00am EST https://stmargaretmary.org/funeral-mass-livestream/ Interment 10:00am, Sept 8th at Queen of Angels Cemetery, 1901 Queen of Angels Drive, Winter Park, FL, 32792.

Phillip "Phil" Hamula

May 4, 1942 - August 21, 2020