Phillip Princevalle

Niantic — Phillip Ryan Princevalle, 61, passed away late Monday night at Lawrence + Memorial Hospital surrounded by his daughters and sister. In his final days of battling cancer, he said, “When you encounter hardships, I hope you can remember everything can be conquered with will and desire.”

Phil was an avid sports fan and especially loved the Rams and

Dodgers and would never miss a game. He loved to channel surf between any game being televised; even in his last days, he was trying to tune his AM radio to listen to the Red Sox game. He loved to share his love of sports by coaching his daughter’s softball teams. If he wasn’t coaching, he was in the stands as their biggest supporter and fan.

Phil spent 20 years working for the Department of Corrections, moving up to lieutenant. He touched so many lives in this role and won the respect of not only his coworkers but also inmates. Many of his coworkers turned into amazing friends who have supported Phil in and out of work throughout his life.

Phil was a father figure to many and a friend to even more. He would give anyone the shirt off his back if they needed it. If Phil considered you his friend, you were his friend for life! He loved to spend time with his friends and family, golfing, fishing, watching sports, eating, or just hanging out. One of Phil’s favorite sayings was “treat others as you would like to be treated,” which he instilled in his daughters who were his world. He was a well-respected man and made the world a better place.

He is survived by his beloved daughters, Taryn Princevalle, Coryn Princevalle and Loryn Dempsey, all of Waterford; his son-in-law Josh Dempsey of Waterford; his loving mother Jackie Princevalle of Madison; and amazing sister Heidi Princevalle of Oceanside, Calif. He also is survived by his grandchildren, Nikolai Princevalle, Katalina Princevalle, Rigby Dempsey and unborn baby Dempsey; his nephew Wade Geissel of Carnation, Wash.; niece Genevieve Geissel of Oceanside, Calif.; and of course, his spunky furry friends, Roxie and Stella.

A Celebration of Life will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, May 21, at McCook’s Pavilion (the beach park), Niantic. Food, music, and games will be provided and we hope you can join us in celebrating the amazing life he led. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in his name to the Cactus Jack Foundation.