Barbola Funeral Chapel

Phillip J. Sass

Phillip J. Sass passed away peacefully at home on January 13, 2025.

Phil was many things to many people. Husband, father, brother, and grandfather. Coach, business owner, friend. Or simply “Uncle Phil.” He was loved and will be missed.

Phil was born in 1945 to Eugene and Stella Slivon Sass. The second oldest of six children, he spent his childhood climbing trees, hanging out at the swimming pool, and raising a ruckus with his brothers and sister. A 1963 graduate of Pulaski High School in Milwaukee, he attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he was a member of the men’s swim team and later the men’s water polo team.

After graduating from the University of Wisconsin in 1967, he moved to Rochester, NY to work at R.T. French Company (maker of French’s mustard). In 1973, he co-founded Wisconsin Spice, Inc. and over the next few decades, he grew the business from a small mustard seed company to a multinational food manufacturing operation. He considered his employees to be family and took great pride in the fact that many employees have been with the company for decades.

Phil carried on his love of the water when he began coaching the Berlin Barracudas in the mid-1980s. Thereafter, you could usually find him near a pool, giving kids tips on how to improve their swimming strokes or sharing life lessons. He was named Wisconsin High School Boys’ Swimming Coach of the Year in February 2001 and Wisconsin High School Girls’ Swimming Coach of the Year in November 2001. Several swimmers on his teams were WIAA state championship qualifiers, including multiple individual and team state champions. However, he considered his greatest success as a coach to be helping young people set goals and giving them the tools to achieve them.

A lifelong and devoted Badger fan, you could find him hosting tailgates and cheering on (and sometimes complaining about) the Wisconsin Badgers on most Saturdays in the fall. An enthusiastic traveler, Phil enjoyed vacations in St. Thomas, the Florida Keys, and California, visiting business associates-turned-friends in the U.K., and following the Badgers to whatever bowl game they were playing in that year.

As much as he cherished and was proud of these things, he loved his family most of all. He loved boldly, generously, and unconditionally; his pride in his family was effusive and unrestrained. Even after his speech became limited due to the progression of Alzheimer’s disease, he continued to tell his family “love you dearly” at any opportunity.

Ever fond of a good catchphrase, Phil adopted many over the years. Desire, Dedication, and Determination is etched into the brains of many of his former swimmers. Bingo, Bango, Bongo is another favorite. And more recently, simply: Onward.

Phil is known for his top-notch tailgate parties, keen grilling skills, and love of gardening, especially his beloved rose bushes. He may not be known for having a soft-spoken voice or conversational succinctness, but you could also count on him to have your back and tell a good story.

A man of deep faith, Phil often cited and lived by the words of Matthew 17:20: “Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."

He is survived by his wife of nearly 50 years, Beth Beachkofski Sass; three children, Christine (Matthew) Organ, Caroline (Michael) Blustin and Allen (Heather) Sass; seven grandchildren, Jackson, Jazmine, Genna, Teddy, Solomon, Payton, and Olivia; four brothers, Eugene Sass, George (Linda) Sass, Daniel (Ann) Sass, and Fred Sass; brother-in-law, Thomas Uyak; sister-in-law, Jane (David) Voss; mother-in-law, Lorraine Verkuilen Beachkofski; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Sue Uyak; father-in-law, Marvin Beachkofski; brother-in-law, David Beachkofski; and sister-in-law, Patricia Sass.

ONWARD.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, February 8, at 11:00 a.m., at All Saints Catholic Parish, with Monsignor James L. Gunn officiating. Following Mass, in lieu of a visitation, the family is hosting “Phil’s Final Tailgate” to honor Phil’s life and memory at Mastricola’s On Broadway in Berlin, from 12:30-3:30 p.m. All are welcome and encouraged to wear red and white. Memorials may be directed to Alzheimer’s Association-WI Chapter, Berlin Barracudas Swim Team, or a charity of your choice. Inurnment will be in St. Mary Catholic Cemetery in Menasha at a later date. The family thanks Compassus Hospice for their care and attention. Arrangements have been entrusted to Barbola Funeral Chapel in Berlin. Anyone wishing to send a sympathy card to the family, please mail to Phillip Sass, c/o Barbola Funeral Chapel, PO Box 201, Berlin, WI 54923.