Phillip A. Volturo

Phillip Andrew Volturo died peacefully on Friday at age 69.

Phil was born on August 17, 1947 in Wilmington to Andy Volturo and Kathleen DiMeglio Volturo, their only child. He grew up in Browntown on 7th Avenue before moving to West 24th Street in high school.

After graduating from Salesianum School in 1965, Phil enrolled at the University of Delaware to study to become a social studies teacher. He also enlisted in the Delaware Army National Guard, and was activated during the Wilmington Riots in 1968.

In 1971, Phil began what would be a 32-year career teaching economics and psychology at Avon Grove High School in Pennsylvania. Teaching was Phil’s passion, and it showed in the pride he took in economics students who would go on to major in the field and receive advanced degrees. Countless students and alumni would refer to him as their favorite teacher and stop him to chat and reminisce when they saw him out at the mall or a restaurant.

After his father Andy lost his eyesight, a retired Phil spent a great deal of time with his father, driving him to appointments, having lunch together and running errands. They had a close, personal relationship that lasted until Andy passed away in September 2009.

Phil was known for being a prolific storyteller, recounting tales from college, teaching, weekend excursions with friends or his various skirmishes with authority figures. He never hesitated to share these stories, sometimes over a scotch and water with a twist of lime. His favorite place to tell these tales was at the family cottage in Lewes, a home he selflessly looked after and improved for his children and future grandchildren.

Besides being a student of history, Phil had an almost encyclopedic knowledge of the New York Yankees. He enjoyed bowling in his younger days, and he coached a high school track and field athlete who would go on to compete in the 1984 Olympics.

Phil was preceded in death by his parents and an uncle, William DiMeglio. He is survived by his wife, Joanna Cappelle Volturo of Wilmington; a daughter, Kathleen and her husband Scott of Newark; a son, Drew and his wife Stephanie of Newark, and their daughter, Laurel.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, September 1st at 7PM at St. Anthony of Padua Church 9th and DuPont St. Wilmington, where family and friends may call after 5:30PM. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to the ALS Association Greater Philadelphia Chapter, or Delaware Humane Association.