Obituary for Philip J. DiFabio
Philip J. DiFabio (“Hollywood Phil”), 88 years old, of Ventnor, NJ, passed away February 22, 2023 at MD
Anderson Cooper Hospital in Camden, NJ.
Phil was born in the “Ducktown” section of Atlantic City on September 20, 1934, to Gaetano and
Antoinetta (Paolini), who immigrated to the United States from Abruzzi, Italy.
Phil was the youngest of five children, and excelled in many sports during his youth, including football,
basketball, baseball and hockey. He played these sports at St. Michael’s school and continuing on at
Atlantic City High School, Class of 1952. He also was an altar boy at St. Michael’s and received all his
sacraments there as well.
While the Korean war was escalating, Phil decided to join the Navy at the young age of 17 and serve his
country, along with many of his friends in the neighborhood. He bravely served his country, on the USS
Shea DM-30, and was given an honorable discharge, eventually being declared a 100% disabled combat
veteran, the highest level of honorable discharge at the time.
For his service, he was awarded many awards and commendations, including the NJ Distinguished
Service Medal bestowed upon him by Governor Christine Todd Whitman and the State of NJ Legislative
Commendation bestowed by Senator Gormley. He also proudly participated in many local military
parades over the years driving his prized red Hummer all decked out in military regalia.
After his discharge from the Navy, Phil used his GI Bill and attended Trenton Barber College, where he
graduated with honors and then apprenticed under his older brother John, who was also a barber and
had the distinction of owning the first barber shop in Brigantine.
During the time he was working with his brother and learning his craft, eventually earning the distinction
of Master Barber, he met his beautiful wife, Benita. He would always say that he married her because
she was so beautiful and so highly intelligent. The first time he saw her he was up on a ladder painting
his mother’s house on Florida Avenue and he saw a gorgeous girl walking down the street in a bathing
suit and high-heels and dark sunglasses. He said he nearly fell off the ladder as he watched her in
amazement. They were married a year after first meeting and were married for an amazing 63 years
until Benita’s passing from COVID-19 in May 2020.
Phil opened his first barber shop in Atlantic City and named it Hollywood Phil’s. This was during the time
of The 500 Club, The Black Orchid, Club Harlem and many other clubs that attracted high-profile
entertainers. Phil certainly had his share of celebrity customers including Dean Martin, Jerry Lewis and
Shecky Green to name a few. Hollywood Phil’s would be a staple in Atlantic City for over fifty years in
four different locations.
After retirement, Phil enjoyed staying active and keeping busy by walking on the boardwalk, tinkering in
his garage with many on-going projects, giving haircuts to special family and friends in his home
barbershop that he built himself and spending quality time with his family.
Along with his wife, he was an active member of his community and enjoyed working at the Board of
Elections whenever he was needed.
Phil was a lifetime member of the VFW and DAV as well as the American Legion Post 144 in Ventnor, NJ.
Phil is predeceased by his beloved wife Benita (Gordon) and first-born child, Debbie (Bancheri).
Also, predeceased by parents Gaetano and Antoinetta, his brothers Don and John and his sisters Angie
(DiPaolo) and Grace (Eagan).
He is survived and sadly missed and loved by his son Phil, Jr. and his wife, Susan, of Haverford, PA, his
son Gaetano (Guy) and his partner, Matt, of Ventnor, NJ and his daughter Cecelia (Sippy) and special
grandson Dean Dudek and by his beloved dog, Bruce; also survived by grandchildren Christina Crean and
husband Matt, Vincent Bancheri, Jr. and three great grandchildren, Allison, Rebecca and Anna.
Also survived by special niece Elisa Jo Eagan, sister-in-law Rosalind Feldsher (Gordon) and her daughter
and husband Dallyn and David Uosikkinen and several other nephews.
A Mass of Christian burial , along with military honors, will take place on Wednesday, March 8, 2023 at
11:00, at St. Michael’s Church in Atlantic City
Anderson Cooper Hospital in Camden, NJ.
Phil was born in the “Ducktown” section of Atlantic City on September 20, 1934, to Gaetano and
Antoinetta (Paolini), who immigrated to the United States from Abruzzi, Italy.
Phil was the youngest of five children, and excelled in many sports during his youth, including football,
basketball, baseball and hockey. He played these sports at St. Michael’s school and continuing on at
Atlantic City High School, Class of 1952. He also was an altar boy at St. Michael’s and received all his
sacraments there as well.
While the Korean war was escalating, Phil decided to join the Navy at the young age of 17 and serve his
country, along with many of his friends in the neighborhood. He bravely served his country, on the USS
Shea DM-30, and was given an honorable discharge, eventually being declared a 100% disabled combat
veteran, the highest level of honorable discharge at the time.
For his service, he was awarded many awards and commendations, including the NJ Distinguished
Service Medal bestowed upon him by Governor Christine Todd Whitman and the State of NJ Legislative
Commendation bestowed by Senator Gormley. He also proudly participated in many local military
parades over the years driving his prized red Hummer all decked out in military regalia.
After his discharge from the Navy, Phil used his GI Bill and attended Trenton Barber College, where he
graduated with honors and then apprenticed under his older brother John, who was also a barber and
had the distinction of owning the first barber shop in Brigantine.
During the time he was working with his brother and learning his craft, eventually earning the distinction
of Master Barber, he met his beautiful wife, Benita. He would always say that he married her because
she was so beautiful and so highly intelligent. The first time he saw her he was up on a ladder painting
his mother’s house on Florida Avenue and he saw a gorgeous girl walking down the street in a bathing
suit and high-heels and dark sunglasses. He said he nearly fell off the ladder as he watched her in
amazement. They were married a year after first meeting and were married for an amazing 63 years
until Benita’s passing from COVID-19 in May 2020.
Phil opened his first barber shop in Atlantic City and named it Hollywood Phil’s. This was during the time
of The 500 Club, The Black Orchid, Club Harlem and many other clubs that attracted high-profile
entertainers. Phil certainly had his share of celebrity customers including Dean Martin, Jerry Lewis and
Shecky Green to name a few. Hollywood Phil’s would be a staple in Atlantic City for over fifty years in
four different locations.
After retirement, Phil enjoyed staying active and keeping busy by walking on the boardwalk, tinkering in
his garage with many on-going projects, giving haircuts to special family and friends in his home
barbershop that he built himself and spending quality time with his family.
Along with his wife, he was an active member of his community and enjoyed working at the Board of
Elections whenever he was needed.
Phil was a lifetime member of the VFW and DAV as well as the American Legion Post 144 in Ventnor, NJ.
Phil is predeceased by his beloved wife Benita (Gordon) and first-born child, Debbie (Bancheri).
Also, predeceased by parents Gaetano and Antoinetta, his brothers Don and John and his sisters Angie
(DiPaolo) and Grace (Eagan).
He is survived and sadly missed and loved by his son Phil, Jr. and his wife, Susan, of Haverford, PA, his
son Gaetano (Guy) and his partner, Matt, of Ventnor, NJ and his daughter Cecelia (Sippy) and special
grandson Dean Dudek and by his beloved dog, Bruce; also survived by grandchildren Christina Crean and
husband Matt, Vincent Bancheri, Jr. and three great grandchildren, Allison, Rebecca and Anna.
Also survived by special niece Elisa Jo Eagan, sister-in-law Rosalind Feldsher (Gordon) and her daughter
and husband Dallyn and David Uosikkinen and several other nephews.
A Mass of Christian burial , along with military honors, will take place on Wednesday, March 8, 2023 at
11:00, at St. Michael’s Church in Atlantic City