Philip A. Lirio, age 90 of Vineland, passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 1, 2012 at home surrounded by his loving family. Philip was born in Vineland to the late Mayor Philip E. and Hazel (Noll) Lirio, and was a resident of Vineland for most of his life. He was a graduate of Vineland High School and later earned his degree from Princeton University in 1944. Philip was a WWII Veteran serving in the U.S. Navy, as a Captain of the USS Newman APD 59. Here he was responsible for liberating the Philippine Islands under General Douglas MacArthur's amphibious Navy. He received a personal acknolwedgement from MacArthur and the Navy Commendation Ribbon. Prior to retirement, he was the president of Lirio Chemical Co. of Vineland for over 50 years and a former Vineland councilman. Philip was a member of Christ the Good Shepherd Parish, St. Isidore's Church of Vineland. He was also a member for over 50 years and past president of the Vineland Rotary Club and the past commissioner of the Landis Sewerage Authority. Philip was the past president and served on the board of the Wiseman's Club of the Vineland YMCA. He enjoyed boating, fishing and flying his airplane. Philip created and owned a patent for an emergency device in which aircraft can land on water. Philip is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 58 years, Norma (Pollack) Lirio of Vineland. His two sons; Philip Lirio and Christopher Lirio and wife Connie, all of Vineland. His two grandsons; Jason Lirio and C.J. Lirio. The Funeral Liturgy will be held on Thursday, December 6th at 11:00am at Christ the Good Shepherd Parish, Sacred Heart Church, 1010 E. Landis Ave. Vineland. Burial will follow in Siloam Cemetery, Vineland. Family and friends may gather on Wednesday from 7:00-9:00pm at Wainwright-Bernhardt Funeral Home, 1024 E. Landis Ave. Vineland and on Thursday from 10:00-11:00am at the Church. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Philip may be made to the Vineland Rotary "Scholarship Fund" PO Box 7 Vineland, NJ 08362. Please visit www.wbfuneralhome.com to send condolences to the family.
