Phillip Duane Hochstetler

Phillip Duane Hochstetler passed away Friday 16, 2022 at home, surrounded by his loving family, after a 19 month courageous battle with brain cancer (GBM). Phillip was born February 28th, 1971 to Eli (Bev) Hochstetler and Patricia Hochstetler in Massillon, Ohio. He was the eldest of his four brothers. Phillip grew up in Green, Ohio and graduated from Green high School and Portage Lakes Career Center in the culinary arts program. Phillip attended the Pennsylvania Institute of Culinary Arts. Phil worked at Burkhardt Brewing Company in Green, where he met his wife of 20 years Lori.

Phil married the love of his life and best friend, Lori July 6th, 2002. We created a family together with Phil welcoming Lori's two daughters as his own and then having a child together, Connor. We had many wonderful beach vacations in Florida and the Carolinas, the last one being a two week trip to the Bahamas for their 20th wedding anniversary. Phil loved amusement parks, there wasn't a roller coaster he wouldn't ride. The beach was his happy place, he always looked forward to his many trips to Myrtle Beach. Phil was a wonderful cook at home and spoiled his family with gourmet dinners frequently. Phil loved to have a vegetable garden every year. Phillip was such a devoted, loving, thoughtful and romantic man and never missed a chance to shower his wife with gifts and remembering the little things that made his marriage so strong.

Phil had decided to end his cooking career and then worked for the Akron Beacon Journal as a rack manager for 17 years. Phillip then went to Hamrick Truck Driving School to obtain his CDL. He worked for Giant Eagle as a truck driver for the last five years until he was diagnosed with cancer. Phillip was extremely proud of being in the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Union Local 507. He loved driving the big semi trucks and he was extremely proud of being an essential worker during the pandemic. Phillip loved heavy metal and alternative rock music and attended many concerts through the years. Phillip was a die hard Green Bay Packers fan, he wore his cheesehead proudly for many years. Phillip was so happy to see his favorite player, Brett Favre get inducted into the Football Hall of Fame at the Gold Jacket Dinner. Phil was proud of his children and grandchildren and loved to attend all of their sporting events, choir and band concerts and his son Connor's Tae Kwon Do classes and competitions. He loved his children and grand children beyond measure and was so proud of all their accomplishments. Phillip was a role model of what a loving husband, father, and grandfather should be like. Phil will be dearly missed by many for his sense of humor and his calming presence.

Phil is survived by his loving and devoted wife Lori; son Connor; step-daughters Lauren (Shawn) McNulty and Nicole Rininger: brothers Mark (Darlene) Hochstetler, Aaron (Sara) Hochstetler, and Ty (Christine) Holland. Grandchildren Camden and Brooklyn McNulty and Jacob, Lilly, and Jennifer Anders. He was a husband, father, son, brother, and grandpa to a loving family.

Phil was such a warrior when he was diagnosed with GBM in February 2021. He wanted to try all conventional and natural treatments to cure the beast. He wore his Optune cap proudly for six months until it was determined it was not working anymore. He had such a positive attitude up until the very end. A special thank you to all his Cleveland Clinic oncology doctors, palliative medicine, Hospice and the exceptional care by the staff on the 8100 floor at Cleveland Clinic Akron General.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, September 24 from 1:00-3:00 pm at the Anthony Funeral Home, Kucko-Anthony-Kertesz Chapel, 1990 S Main St in Akron and service will immediately follow at 3:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Phil's name to the Stephen A. Communale, Jr. Family Cancer Fund and the McDowell Cancer Center Assistance Fund at Cleveland Clinic Akron General.
 

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