Philip Dow Carver

Philip Dow Carver, 84, of Shelby Township, Michigan, died peacefully, surrounded by family, on April 7, 2025. Philip is survived by his wife Julianna Carver, his brother and sister-in-law Kenneth and Inge Carver, his son Marc Carver and Marc’s longtime partner Christine Lomaka, his daughter Lynne Carver-Clancy and son-in-law Jim Clancy, stepdaughters Jericka Angelini and Pamela Casey, grandchildren Isaac, Bailey, Rowyn, and Draken, nieces and nephews Kathy, Suzy, James, and Michelle, and scores of friends made through years of kindness, compassion, and a lovable sense of humor. Phil doted on all of his family members and was deeply interested in all the news of his family and genuinely always wanted to be kept up to date. Phil had an active, curious mind, and a hunger for learning. He skipped two grades in public school, graduating high school right after his 16th birthday. After high school, Phil received a US Senator’s nomination for the Air Force Academy, but he wore glasses, so it was not to be. Years later, however, Phil earned a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree while working full-time and helping to raise two children. He retained his passion for learning for the rest of his life, and he had a particular love of history. In his youth, Phil played the trumpet, and as a teenager representing the city of Roseville, he won a Michigan state competition for best trumpet solo. In Phil’s early career, in the 1960s, his talent as an artist led him to work as a technical illustrator with Chrysler, The Ohio State University, the University of Illinois, and Sanders Associates, on projects affiliated with the space program. Later, and for the rest of his career, Phil was in business for himself. Phil was a gifted, self-made entrepreneur who built and ran a successful publishing business for decades. He took pride in creating a happy and productive workplace. He treated his employees with respect, compassion and generosity, and in return he received their loyalty, admiration, and a desire to strive for excellence in their work. Phil practiced philanthropy his whole adult life. He believed in sharing his success with his family members, charitable organizations, individuals in need and oftentimes complete strangers. Phil was humble and quiet about his lifelong philanthropy, and often only he and the recipients knew details. His generosity was profound and selfless. Phil and his brother Ken were great pals throughout life, from childhood all the way to the present. They did things together all the time, spoke on the phone every day, and their bond was deep and lifelong. Phil was a talented chef, and whatever he was making, gourmet fare or everyday food, he put his passion and meticulous attention to detail into it to make it perfect. As with everything he did in life, he sank his heart into it to make it just right. Food spoke to his soul, and he loved to eat delicious food as much as he liked to prepare it, especially desserts. Phil and his dear wife Julie shared a life together for almost 30 years. Their love endured through good times and bad, through sickness and health. In times of joy, the two enjoyed the fruits of a well-lived life together as friends and lovers. In seasons of illness, Phil and Julie remained solid and united. When Julie had health challenges, Phil was a fiercely protective caregiver, advocate, and friend. And then when Phil was in ill health, the roles flipped and Julie served as a passionate, capable caregiver, protector, and loving wife. Their connection is eternal, and their love remained and thrived through all of life’s tribulations and triumphs. Phil loved animals, especially his family pets, and he always treated them with tender loving care, and they in return loved him back and always wanted to be in his presence. When he relaxed in his recliner, there was always a happy cat lounging in his lap. He gave the family cats lives of pampering, contentment and lots of love. Phil appreciated beauty in all its forms — in the care and detail of his work for publishers, in his detailed home design, in his meticulous personal appearance, and in the luster of his lovingly buffed and polished cars. He brought his heightened aesthetic sense to every aspect of life. Laughter infused Phil’s daily existence. He sought the humor in every moment, and a smile or a laugh was never far away. He was genuinely funny, but he also delighted in the humor of others. People felt comfortable with Phil. A man of great personal accomplishment, Phil had a way of making other people always feel at ease, important, the star of the show. He loved watching people succeed. He provided calm, practical, positive reassurance in times of sadness or turmoil. He was cool under pressure. And there was laughter. Always laughter. Phil loved reading the newspaper funny pages, shining and detailing his car, relaxing in his crisply creased pajamas, changing lives with his extraordinary generosity, listening with passionate attention to the stories of his loved ones and friends, reading books about history or about the afterlife, listening to thoughtful and inspiring sermons, watching sports or The Blacklist or Ancient Aliens, snuggling with his grandchildren, putting together business ventures, pampering his cats, eating sweet treats, spoiling his family, visiting over coffee with his sister-in-law, breakfasting with his brother, walking through life with his cherished Julie. Phil’s friends and loved ones will feel deeply the ache of his absence. But his legacy lives still, in the infinite kindnesses he left behind, echoes of Phil that resound in our hearts, now and always. Memorial visitation for Philip will be held on Sunday, April 27, 2025, from 12:00 pm until 4:00 pm with a 3:00 pm memorial service at Wasik Funeral Home (49150 Schoenherr Rd., Shelby Twp., MI 48315).

Philip Dow Carver

May 23, 1940 - April 7, 2025