Obituary of Philip Migala

Philip R. Migala, 84, of Plymouth, peacefully passed away April 20, 2025 in New Hope with his daughter by his side. He was preceded in death by beloved wife of 61 years, Barbara; only son, Ian; parents, Walter & Laverne; brother, Dennis (Myrna); and sister, Patricia (John) Maxwell. He is survived by loving daughter, Cindy (Brent) Grothe; cherished granddaughters, Liz (Hunter Thurman) & Rachel Grothe; brother-in-law, Bruce (Diane) Harrison; sister-in-law, Grace (Gary) Ohlrogge; six nieces, seven nephews, many extended family members, lifelong and newer friends, kind neighbors, former coworkers, and two very special "grands" who brought so much joy to his final months - grandnephew Grayson & grandniece Peyton.

Phil grew up in Chicago's McKinley Park neighborhood and graduated from Kelly High School in 1958. He served in the U.S. Army for 4 years, most of it stationed in France, before marrying his high school sweetheart, Barbara, in the summer of 1962. He began his long career at Ryerson Steel in Chicago and moved to Plymouth in 1967. After 37 dedicated years with the company, he retired fully-pensioned in 1995.

Retirement brought Phil his greatest adventure - being a grandfather. He & Barb enjoyed road trips with Liz & Rachel, traveling to Florida, the Southwest, Yosemite, the Pacific Northwest, and, of course, "up north." Once the girls were off to college, Phil fully embraced his own hobbies: gardening, bird watching, reading, music, art, cooking, completing the Star Trib crossword daily, and, for nearly 30 years, watching Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune weeknights with Barb always at his side until she passed late 2023.

His quiet, steady presence is already profoundly missed.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 10, 2025, at the Cremation Society of Minnesota (7835 Brooklyn Blvd, Brooklyn Park, MN 55445), with visitation 1 hour prior & a repast to follow. Private interment at Bethania Cemetery in Chicago. In lieu of flowers, memorials to Good Samaritan Society–Ambassador are appreciated in gratitude for the care & community provided to Phil & Cindy over the past six months.