Ishpeming – Phillip F. "Fish" Ombrello, age 89, longtime Ishpeming resident and most recently a resident at the Lakeview Apartments in Negaunee, passed away at the Eastwood Nursing Center in Negaunee on Friday Aug. 27, 2010 at 1:55am, where he had resided for the past 4 months.


Phillip was born December 30, 1920 in Ishpeming the son of the late Vito and Nancy (Frustaglio) Ombrello. He attended the Ishpeming Schools until he went to work to help support his family. Phillip served in the United States Marine Corps. during World War II in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater. He returned to this area following World War II and married the love of his life Louise Nault on Nov. 30, 1946. "Fish" worked for the Cleveland Cliffs Iron Co. at various mines, retiring from the Tilden Mine as a Service Truck Driver in 1985.


"Fish" was a lifetime member of the Ishpeming VFW and a member of the Negaunee Eagles Club, and St. John's Catholic Church. He was an avid card player, and a former member of the Ishpeming cribbage league. His passion in life was fishing, thus the nickname "Fish".


Survivors include his wife of 64 years Louise (Nault) Ombrello of Negaunee, 4 children – Phillip (Marlene) Ombrello of Ishpeming, Sharon (Rich) Raper of Elizabeth City, NC, Paul (Lois) Ombrello of Ishpeming, Shirley (Gerry) Argall of Appleton, WI, his grandchildren, whom were his pride and joy – Traci (Lisa Long) Ombrello of Green Bay, WI, Tammy (Scott) Newbern of Simi Valley, CA, Nicole (Brad Knapp) Argall and Grant (Julie) Argall both of Appleton, WI, great grandchildren – Zachary Argall-Knapp, Carter Newbern, Phillip, Jack and Will Argall and one more great grandson Kyle Newbern to be born shortly, a step-grandson Jeff Koval of Marquette, two sisters – Lucy Stancliff of Weaton, IL and Dolly (Dean) Carlson of Ishpeming, along with several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers – Fortnot, Pete, Victor and Tony Ombrello, and six sisters – Rose Bertucci, Kate Georgianna, Marion Poirier, Theresa Poirier, Stella Mitchell and Concetta Ellis.


The family will greet relatives and friends from 9:30 until 11am on Monday August 30, 2010 at the St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, where the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter #380 will hold a military honors service at 10:40am. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00am on Monday at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church with the Rev. Fr. Greg Heikkala to officiate. Interment will take place at the Ishpeming Cemetery.


Pallbearers will be Grant Argall, Brad Knapp, Gerry Argall, Rich Raper, Jeff Koval, Nicole Argall & Traci Ombrello.


The family wishes to thank the Staff at the Eastwood Nursing Center for the kind and gentle care they took of "Fish" these past few months.