Philip Bosarge, Sr

Philip Bosarge Sr, 67, passed away Thursday, December 28, 2023.

Philip was born the oldest of three children to Theresa "Olivette" and Harold Bosarge in Bayou La Batre, Al. on May 8th, 1956. He worked in the shrimping industry for many years before earning his high school diploma and started his career at Holcim Inc. where he would retire in 2000. He had a passion for helping people and he was always ready to cook a meal for family and friends.

As a young child Philip was raised in Bayou La Batre and attended St. Margaret's and Alba school. He met his wife, Essie Nelson Bosarge, in 1977 and married on June 22, 1978. In 1978, had their first child, Christy. Two years later, they welcomed their second child, Misty into the world, followed by the only boy, properly named Philip Bosarge Jr. and the baby, Amy (Rubs). He worked very hard to make sure they were taken care of. From putting in as much overtime as allowed, to taking any type of side job to earn extra money for whatever his kids needed at the time.

Philip wore many titles: husband, dad, Papa, brother, son, friend. He began his career on the water at a very young age and worked on many boats forming lifelong friendships along the way. Some of those would become family i.e. brother in laws J.C Kennerson and James "Ricky" Zirlott. Others would include Mr. Eugene Johnson, Kent Johnson and many others. He would talk fondly of the good and bad trips made on the gulf waters. All the trips that allowed the white flag to fly, the Texas trips, the blue waters of the Florida Keys, all the good spots for oystering, the stories of fixing the nets before sitting back overboard, you could sit and listen for hours, and he would talk like it was a job he worked just yesterday. He never let the love of the water leave his heart. He went on to make a career on land at Holcim Inc. (cement manufacturer plant), where he worked his way through the ranks by hard work and good work ethic. He was as hard a worker as they come and rarely called out, earning many perfect attendance and safety awards over his career. He retired in 2000 and enjoyed a relaxing life alongside his wife Essie, until her death in 2015. Philip welcomed every grandchild with open arms and spoiled each one as if that was his only job. That is until the great grandchildren started showing up, that's when things stepped up for the once tough, no bull, spare the rod spoil the child man that raised his kids to the soft, push over that became the Papa to all his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Philip loved his family and enjoyed cooking for them whenever possible. He invited all whenever there was a pot of gumbo or pepper steak, he never learned how to scale down the amount the food because "you never know when someone might show up". He was known for his fudge and made anyone a batch anytime they ask and enjoyed giving fudge out for the holidays. He enjoyed Alabama football and watched most games with family and friends. He was a Bama fan to the core and bled crimson.

Philip and Essie joined the Baptist Chapel in the 90's. They raised their children in the church. Over the years they were a helping hand in the building of the bigger chapel that stands today from the smaller chapel that is now the fellowship hall. There they were taught the gospel under Bro. Dell Murphy. The decision to join the church would come to be a turning point in their lives. After they attended and invited family and friends the entire family would become members. This would lead to many Sunday dinners whether around the kitchen table or whatever restaurant could be decided on after church. He would say that food brought people together better than anything else, and he was right.

Philip began woodworking after retirement. After many tries and many failures, he mastered the art of building furniture, but the thing that he was best known for was the wooden toy boxes that he would build, he would stain, sand and work on them until he had it just right. If you have anything built by his hands, know it was built with love.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Essie, his dad, Harold, mother, Olivette, mother-in-law, Earlene, father-in-law, Jobie and a host of other family members.

He is survived by his children, Christy (Cris) Rock, Misty (Nicholas) Ladnier, Philip Jr. and Amy (Brad) Sedgeway. 9 grandchildren, Trey, Tara and Sierra Sprinkle,  Elijah Rock, Savannah (Landon) Deakle, Nicholas (baby Nick) Marshall and McKenzie Sedgeway. 4 Great grandchildren, Mercedes Sprinkle, Essie and Ally Deakle. Brother Jonathan (Lydia) Bosarge and sister Mary (Lewis) Simmons.

Philip's family will honor his memory with a funeral service on Saturday January 6, 2024, at Mobile Memorial Gardens Funeral Home at 12:00 pm. Visitation will be held Saturday January 6, 2024 from 10:00 am until 12:00 pm. Interment will take place following the service at Oddfellow Cemetery.