Obituary of Philip D. Ambrose

Philip D. Ambrose, Sr., 83, of Vineland passed away on Friday, August 12, 2011 at his home following a lengthy illness. Philip was born in Vineland and lived in the City his entire life. He attended Sacred Heart grammar school and high school, and was a memberof the graduating class of 1945. An excellent athlete, Phil played both basketball and baseball while at Sacred Heart High School. He was a member of the first baseball team in the school's history. After serving in the Army, Phil continued his baseball career playingin the semi-professional North Atlantic League (Pennsylvania) from 1948 to 1950. He returned home to Vineland and played in the Greater Vineland Semi Professional Baseball League for two seasons in 1951 and 1952, and was honored with the League's MVP award. Phil was inducted into theLeague's Hall of Fame in 2000. Phil's passion for the game of baseball was evident in his enduring love for the Philadelphia Phillies. In later years, Phil's interests expanded to include gardening and crabbing. He ran a small nursery business at his home, selling shrubbery and flowers, tomatoes and other vegetables. He was an avid hunter, and was a member of Menantico Gun Club for 64 years. Philip was predeceased by his parents, Philip J. Ambrose and Madeline (Fiori) Ambrose, and his wife Barbara. He is survived by his three children Mari DiOrio (Louis), Patricia Peterson (Paul), and Philip D. Ambrose, Jr. (Teresa) all of Milmay; his grandchildren Christina and Megan DiOrio, Joanna and Paul Peterson, Matthew Ambrose and Jessica (Joshua) Kashow, and John and Michael Woodward; four brothers and one sister: G. Thomas Ambrose (Virginia) of Egg Harbor Township: John Ambrose (Beatrice) of St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada; Barbara Orlandini (Babe) of Vineland; Paul Ambrose (Sally) of Milmay; and Joseph Ambrose (Janet) of Turnersville.