Philip Edward Riopel

Philip Edward Riopel was born on April 2, 1950, in San Jose California, to John Riopel and Ardis Roberts. Phil was the seventh son of eight. He leaves brothers and sisters-in-law, David (Lora), Robert, John (Joyce),(Suwan) and brothers and sisters-in-law, preceding him in death were Dennis (Ellen), (Cheryl), Richard (Harriet), William and Michael. He loved his in-laws Frank Pandolfo and Pauline Chiaramonte, Renee (James) Jacobs and Donna (Ken) Adgate. He had many nieces, nephews and cousins. Phil also leaves his wife Margie, married for 56 years, his daughters Melissa Torrecillas, Monica Murdock, sons-in-law Sam Torrecillas and Ryan Murdock and grandchildren Olivia Torrecillas, Logan Murdock and Dylan Murdock.

Phil grew up in a large Catholic household of Irish/French descent. He attended St. John Vianney's School and James Lick High School. He grew up on the East Side of San Jose when orchards draped McKee and Toyon Roads. Throughout his life, he maintained a group of childhood friends from his youth. He received an Associate Arts Degree in Glazing in the 80’s from San Jose City College and held a Glazing Subcontractor License.

Phil married Margie Pandolfo in September 1969. They grew up together. They lived in San Jose a couple of years and then moved to Santa Cruz for the next three. He loved the beach, the redwoods, hiking, backpacking, and camping. He spent many days at the beach enjoying the sunshine. In their mid-twenties, they sold everything they owned, converted a van into a camper van, and drove the Alcan Highway to a place called Seward, Alaska to work in a fish cannery. Phil loved Alaska and all the adventure that it had to offer. He worked for Seward Fisheries for 10 years as the Warehouse Manager responsible for all shipping and receiving for the plant. He made many lifelong friends who are still family today. Back home, their families urged them to come back to California. With their earnings he convinced Margie that he could build them a house on a 5-acre parcel he purchased in Hollister, California. It took him three winters to complete the garage and house that would become their family home for thirty plus years. There he raised his two daughters, Melissa and Monica and hosted many family parties and holidays. It was there he used his Glazing Subcontractor License to build his business, Hollister Glass, that he owned and operated for 25 plus years. He was well liked in the community, played softball into his late 60’s and made more good friends along the way.

He retired in 2016; they downsized and moved to Capitola to spend time with their daughter’s families and children. Living by family and the beach was a blessing that he cherished. He spent many days playing with the grandkids at the beach and enjoying the sunshine. Phil visited Alaska many times over the years and an adventure trip back up to Alaska in their Volkswagen Camper in 2018. They traveled up the California coast through Oregon, Washington and Canada up the Alcan highway, eventually making it to Seward. It was epic. They had other road trips through Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Idaho and Wyoming; and trips to Thailand, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Italy and to Hawaii, one of his favorite places.

Phil loved music and had a collection of albums he loved to listen to, and he was always ready for live music. He was an avid athlete. He played softball for many years and held numerous trophies. He also played golf and tennis.

Phil loved quietly but deeply. He showed his love through his steady presence, his strong work ethic, and the way he consistently showed up for the people he cared about. He was a man of principle, responsibility, and heart. He wasn’t a man of many words, but when he spoke, his words resonated and stayed with you. He was selfless and kind, often going out of his way to help others without ever expecting anything in return.

Family was incredibly important to him. The love and loyalty he had for his wife, his girls, and his entire family were unwavering and evident in everything he did. Above all, Phil was a good man—admired and loved by many. He was kind and considerate, a devoted husband, and a wonderful father to his girls. He will be deeply missed by his wife, his daughters and sons-in-law, his beautiful grandchildren, his family, and all the friends who had the pleasure of knowing him.