Phillip Sauleiko Obituary

Sauleiko, Phillip Charles

Phillip Charles Sauleiko, age 88, passed on to eternal life December 28, 2021. Phil was born in Chicago, Illinois on May 01, 1933. He grew up in Pilsen, Bridgeport and Brighton Park communities, attending Catholic schools at Providence of God, De La Salle HS, and DePaul University where he graduated with degrees in English and Philosophy.

Phil was a mighty proud American. He served in the Navy (1952-1956) during the Korean War, maintaining radar systems on his ship. He survived electrocution that left a pencil-sized hole in his knee cap and a tear in his heart valve that would only be found decades later. During a trip to Hawaii, he proudly drove in a pink convertible with three other Navy guys and tanned to a burning red!!

Phil took his strong work ethic to the US Postal Service, retiring in 1996 after 40 years of service, admirably performing many different duties. Your zip code in Chicago or its surrounding suburbs may have been assigned by Phil!

At USPS, Phil met the love of his life, Elvira (30 years his junior). They married on August 24, 1991… and so ended Phil's thoughts of becoming a Catholic priest after retirement (he could recite mass in Latin and thought he was good at giving advice). Their first baby, Charles, was lost before birth and now will rest lovingly in Phil's arms. A second son, Nicholas (US Air Force veteran) arrived thereafter, followed by daughter Cassie. In May of 2016, Phil got to hold his granddaughter, Tori, and watched her grow to a beautiful and smart 5-year-old. Phil had a best buddy who kept him company every day for 17 years: his old dog, Troy. Most days, they had the same schedule: wake up, eat food, take a nap, repeat.

Phil leaves behind his wife Elvira Perez-Sauleiko, son Nicholas, daughter Cassie (late AJ Smith, Jr.), granddaughter Tori, and his younger sister, Rosita. Phil was a wonderful uncle to niece Sylvia (Michael) Keppel and nephew Christopher (Pamela) Nauyokas, great uncle to Phillip (Michelle), Elizabeth, Susan, Anne, and Andrew Keppel, Grace (Matthew) Ernat, and Duncan Nauyokas, and great-great uncle to Mackenzie Keppel. (He was truly great in many ways and to many people.) He was preceded in death by his older sister, Theresa (Donald) Nauyokas, his father, Charles, and his mom, Bernice.

Everyone who met Phil fell in love with him. He was a funny character who made you laugh no matter how hard a day you were having. A loving husband and protective father and brother for whom family always came first, Phil left us with so many cherished memories. He will be missed immensely.

Visitation Tuesday, January 4, 2022, 3 to 8pm at Blake Lamb Funeral Home, 4727 W. 103rd Street, Oak Lawn. Funeral Mass will be Wednesday, January 5, at 10am at Saint Richard Church, 5032 S. Kostner Avenue, Chicago. Interment will follow at Saint Casimir Cemetery. Funeral Info: (708) 636-1193.

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