Phillip Joseph Pietraszewski

Phillip Joseph Pietraszewski: A Craftsman's Hands, A Generous Heart, A Beautiful Life

Phillip Joseph Pietraszewski, born April 9, 1948, passed from this world on June 9, 2026, surrounded by a family who adored and cherished him.

A master craftsman, Phillip found great satisfaction in working with his hands. His woodworking reflected the patience, care, and attention to detail that characterized much of his life. He also enjoyed watercolor painting and music, often spending time playing the accordion and organ. Curious by nature and always eager to learn, Phillip pursued a variety of creative interests and remained busy with the hobbies he loved throughout his life.

Phillip had a legendary sweet tooth, which his family liked to think explained his even sweeter heart. He was warm, personable, and genuinely interested in others. Whether talking with cousins, aunts, uncles, friends, neighbors, or strangers, Phillip had a way of making people feel valued. He showed up when he was needed, offered help without hesitation, and gave generously of his time. He never met a conversation he didn't enjoy, especially if it was over a piece of pie.

For 58 years, Phillip shared a loving marriage with his bride, Roberta “Bobbie” Wisniewski Pietraszewski. Growing up just two blocks apart, Phillip often spotted Bobbie around the neighborhood and liked to say he thought she was cute and hoped she felt the same. Fortunately for him, she did. Their relationship blossomed in Indianapolis, where she was completing a nursing clinical rotation and he was attending drafting school.

Together, they built a life filled with faith, family, and love. They raised six children, and Phillip would have moved mountains for every one of them — and in a way, he did. Ask any of his kids about the times he loaded up the van and drove far and wide, across cities and states, to help them settle into their new homes.

His faith in God guided him throughout his life. Phillip trusted deeply, prayed sincerely, and sought to live out his faith through kindness and service to others. He was a devoted member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Mishawaka, where prayer and community sustained him throughout his life.

When he wasn't in his workshop, Phillip enjoyed life's simple pleasures: a good movie, a nature documentary, or cheering enthusiastically for Notre Dame football and women's basketball. He also loved to travel and embraced every opportunity to see new places. Whether visiting Canada, France, Florida, California, Arizona, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, or Colorado, he approached each destination with the same curiosity and appreciation that he brought to the rest of his life.

Phillip is survived by his beloved wife, Roberta; his children, Christopher (Kathleen), Barbara, Andrea Suderski (Garett), Danielle Bielanski (Ron), Edward (Sara Ness), Charles (Angie Steinmetz), and his eight cherished grandchildren, Noah, Liam, Aidan and Kalin Pietraszewski, Everett, Ava and Andrew Suderski, and Maximillian Pietraszewski.

He is also survived by nine brothers and sisters: John (Nancy) Pietraszewski, James (Donna) Pietraszewski, Clarice (Ken) Cwidak, Michele (Mark) Torzewski, Ann Marie (Marion) Kruk, Sharon (Glen) Suarez, Karen (Dominic) Rapelli, Renita Epple, and Marty (Gloria) Pietraszewski — as well as countless cousins, nieces, and nephews who knew his generosity firsthand.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Aloysius and Ludvina (Jeziorski) Pietraszewski, who gave him the roots from which everything else grew. He was also preceded in death by his daughter, Camille Frances, and his son-in-law, Kirt Edward Prchlik.

The family Phillip built, the friendships he nurtured, and the countless creations he brought to life stand as enduring reminders of a man who spent his years creating, giving, and caring for others. Above all, he leaves behind stories. Honor Phillip by sharing them, listening to others' stories, and adding your own.

In the words of Phil:

"That's my story, and I'm sticking to it."

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, from 3:00 PM until 8:00 PM EST at the St. Joseph Funeral Home, 824 S. Mayflower Road, South Bend, IN 46619. The rosary will be recited at 7:00 PM EST that evening. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM EST, with an hour of visitation prior to the Mass, on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 220 W. 4th St., Mishawaka, IN 46544.

Memorial donations in Phillip’s memory may be directed to the Marc Adams School of Woodworking Roger Cliffe Memorial Scholarship Foundation https://www.jccf.org/give-one-time. Please select the “Existing Fund” option and, in the drop-down menu, please search for Roger Cliffe Memorial Scholarship Foundation. Alternatively, donations may be made to Real Services, an organization that assists older adults across northern Indiana in maintaining healthy, independent, and dignified lives: https://realservices.org/giving/.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.