On Tuesday, Oct. 29, Philip D. Steinberg of Wilton passed away at Yale New Haven Hospital at the age of 70.
Born in Canonsburg, PA on July 25, 1954, Phil and his brother, Rick, were both adopted by loving parents Philip A. and Shirley Steinberg of Pittsburg. Only 17 days apart in age, the boys enjoyed their early childhood in New Jersey before moving to Shippan Point in Stamford in 1960. This was the setting for many a teenage adventure that would be told for years to come, and the start of many lifelong friendships. Phil attended Stamford Public Schools and was a star athlete on the Stamford High School football team, unarguably largely contributing to its state championships in both 1970 and 1971.
Phil was a graduate of the University of Rhode Island and received an MBA from the University of Connecticut. Phil began his career in human resources at Loral Electronic Systems in Yonkers, NY. He worked for Perkin Elmer Corporation, at both its Norwalk and Danbury locations, until 1999, before completing his career at Chase and JPMorgan Chase.
Phil and Sharon met in 1979 while both were working at Loral. They married in 1982, living in Norwalk for four years before moving to their current home in Wilton to raise a family. Phil could not have been a more loving father to both Brandon and Katie. Although the two-hour each-way commute to Manhattan, and later Brooklyn, was grueling, Phil always found time to enjoy playing with his adoring children each night before a quiet dinner with Sharon, only to wake up and do it all over again the next day. Despite this schedule, he managed to happily attend so many soccer, baseball and softball games, music performances, dance recitals and father-daughter events. He was a proud father.
Phil left JPMorgan Chase in 2011. Determined not to be idle in retirement, he became involved in helping to revitalize the East Side of Stamford, an area not far from where he grew up. There, he engaged with Green Up, an area business that developed all things green. Phil enjoyed working with these new friends to build and create green walls, raised beds, greenhouses and gardens in area homes and businesses, and at several Fairfield County schools.
Through Green Up, he developed his love and passion for gardening, which would define his retirement years. It is also where his hot pepper hobby was inspired. He planted and maintained a beautiful vegetable garden at home. He volunteered to assist with construction projects at Fairgate Farm in Stamford for years. Most notably, in 2018 he joined the volunteer team at Ambler Farm in Wilton, where he did everything from boiling maple syrup to driving the tractor and back-hoe, to sharing his expertise at plant sales and farm stands, and, of course, growing hot peppers. His creations of hot pepper sauces and dried hot pepper seasoning blends had a widespread following among Ambler’s customers as well as Phil’s family and friends.
Phil was always happy to lend a hand to friends, family and neighbors. As many would describe him as the strongest man they knew, even in his later years, he was often called upon for assistance. He enjoyed playing softball for Stamford and Wilton Sunday leagues. Phil was always looking for a project. He was smart and clever; long before the days of YouTube, through determination, he figured out a way to fix something. He preferred to mow his own lawn as a means of exercise, only to agree to a ride-on a few years ago. Phil and Sharon enjoyed entertaining at their home, for both friends and family. Phil was known for his appreciation of music and the great playlists he liked to create and share. He liked to cook and could be trusted to grill your steak just right.
Phil is survived by his loving wife of 42 years, Sharon McCalip Steinberg; children Brandon and Katie Steinberg, and their spouses Christina Annunziato and Richard Hummel; brother Rick Steinberg of Fairfield and his wife Linda; mother-in-law Joan McCalip; sister-in-law Michelle Matteis and her husband Charlie; and three married nieces and a nephew, and their five children.
Phil’s family would like to thank the NMDP (National Marrow Donor Program), formerly known as Be the Match. Phil was given a chance to survive leukemia this year through a stem cell transplant. Since he had been adopted, with no knowledge as to the identity of his birth parents, he needed to rely on finding a stem cell donor outside of the typical search for a match within his family. It was through the NMDP Global Registry program that three perfect-match donors were identified for Phil, giving him his best chance for a successful transplant. The transplant was a success, but Phil did succumb to complications in the days that followed.
Please consider extending your support to NMDP to honor Phil’s memory. Of course, monetary donations are always appreciated. To join the all-important NMDP Registry, one must be between 18-44 years of age. If you do not qualify, please consider encouraging a younger friend or family member to join the registry. While Phil was hospitalized, he received several blood and plasma transfusions, highlighting the need for these donations, as well. When you choose to become a stem cell, blood or plasma donor you are not only honoring the memory of Phil, but you are offering hope and the gift of life to someone in need.
A Celebration of Life Service and reception was held for Phil on Nov. 23 at the Lounsbury House, in Ridgefield. The family appreciates and wishes to thank the many friends and family in attendance, as well as those who extended the many expressions of love and condolences throughout this difficult time.