Philip Binder, born October 8, 1928 in Nova Pazova, Yugoslavia, passed peacefully in his sleep on Friday, July 12, 2019 in his Laguna Woods home.Father, grandfather and great-grandfather to a loving and grateful family, Philip was was one of 11 children born to Franz and Florena Binder.
Philip married the love of his life, Maria (Mary) Mohr on July 24, 1949.With their two-year-old daughter, Irene, they escaped communist Yugoslavia for West Germany, where their second daughter, Annamarie was born.The family was soon able to immigrate to Windsor, Canada, where daughter Florence and sons Richard and Carl were born.In 1968 Phil packed up the family and moved to the United States, where they settled in the small town of El Toro, California.
Phil worked as a mold maker for over 40 years, crafting molds for tools, automotive parts, toys, and eventually hospital equipment.When he wasn't working, he could be found coaching his son's baseball team, setting records in his bowling league, or floating on the waves off Crescent Bay in Laguna Beach.
He retired in 1990 and spent the remainder of his life doing what he loved: being Opa to his grandchildren.He and his wife volunteered with Meals on Wheels, and opened their home to several foreign exchange students.He also enjoyed jogging, which he kept up until he was 70 years old.He especially loved bowling, winning many awards and notching two perfect 300 games.He also taught bowling to children for 15 years.
But the ultimate joy of his life was his wife, Mary, with whom he spent 70 years raising their family, being active in their church, and traveling the world in between games of Skip-Bo at the kitchen table.Being with family was when Philip was at his happiest.His laugh was loud and infectious, and his generous heart brightened the lives of the many people who had the good fortune to have known him.
A memorial service will be held Wednesday, July 17, 2:00 p.m. at McCormick Mortuary, 25000 Moulton Parkway, Laguna Hills, CA 92653, followed by a reception.In lieu of flowers, a donation to Graceland Hospice Care (or the Hospice of your choice) would be appreciated.