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1924 Philip 2014

Philip M Halisky

September 11, 1924 — May 29, 2014

Philip M. Halisky passed away on May 29, 2014 at the age of 89.  Formerly from New Jersey, he resided in Cache Valley for 19 years.

Philip M. Halisky was born September 11, 1924 on a homestead near Andrew in east-central Alberta, Canada.  He was the fourth of ten children born to Michael J. and Katherine S. Halisky.  The family farmed at Smoky Lake, Alberta where Phil attended school while experiencing the poverty stricken years of the Great Depression.  In later years he would say he benefited from those hardships because they taught him to be frugal, prudent, self-reliant, and goal-oriented.

Phil completed high school in the midst of World War II and promptly enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF).  Soon he was trained and sent overseas to Europe as a Flight Engineer on Lancaster bombers.  After serving in two Lancaster squadrons, he was discharged from the RCAF with the rank of Flying Officer.

After the war, Phil spent a decade studying at the University of Alberta (BS degree) and Washington State University (Ph. D. degree).  He then commenced a 38-year career in academia; first at the University of California in Davis and then at Rutgers University in New Jersey.  From his research results he wrote over 190 publications.

While in California he met Gail Clark, a school teacher who was a member of the LDS Church.  They were married a year later and Phil was then baptized into that church.  He has remained active and in full fellowship since then and has served in a variety of Ward and Stake callings.  Phil was especially fond of genealogical research and has compiled extensive family records and numerous family group sheets.  He also published six family histories.

Temple worship was a high priority among his church activities.  His small family was sealed together in the Washington D.C. temple in 1978.

Philip Halisky is survived by his wife, Gail Clark Halisky and his two sons: Laurence of Durham, NC and Merland of Draper, UT.  He is also survived by five grandchildren and two brothers and two sisters, all in Canada.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM on Monday, June 2, 2014 at the Allen-Hall Mortuary Chapel, 34 East Center Street in Logan. A viewing will be held on Sunday evening from 6:00 to 7:00 PM at the mortuary and prior to the services on Monday from 1:00 to 1:45 PM. Burial will be in the Logan City Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.allenmortuaries.net
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