TAPS: CAPT Phillip Gordon Sawdey, USN-Ret

13 February 2018 CAPT Phillip Gordon Sawdey, USN-Ret. at Temecula. He was 83. He was a native of Rochester, NY, born on June 20, 1935 to George and Frances Sawdey.

He attended public schools in Rochester, and graduated from Hilton Central School in 1953. Following his graduation from the University of New Mexico in 1957, he received his commission from the Navy Officer Candidate School in 1958. He married his wife Teri (Ronan) in 1963.

Phil's early years were spent on destroyers in the Atlantic Fleet. He attended the Defense Intelligence School and Chinese Language School in Washington DC, and then served as Assistant Naval Liaison Officer in Hong Kong for three years. Following his tour as commissioning Executive Officer on USS Patterson (FF-1061), he served in the Defense Intelligence Agency and on the staff of the Director of Naval Intelligence in Washington DC.

Subsequent tours included duty on Cruiser Destroyer Group One staff and the staff of the Commander Naval Surface Forces US Pacific Fleet in San Diego. His final tour before retirement was as Intelligence Officer for the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Surface Warfare (OP-03).

Following retirement, Phil earned a Master's degree in Management from the University of Redlands. He was employed by the operations research company Ketron, Inc. and subsequently by Computer Sciences Corporation as a Senior Member Advisory Staff.

In 1999 Phil and Teri moved to Temecula. Throughout retirement Phil enjoyed traveling and his many associations with old and new friends. He was a regular in POETS and Eagles for many years, and enjoyed the wineries and jazz concerts in Temecula.

Phil was a loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather. He is survived by his wife, Teri of 55 years, son Steve (De Anna), son Scott, daughter Shannon (known to him as "chicken"), grandsons Josh and Sam, and brothers David (Janet) and Michael (Laurel). He is also survived by many nieces and nephews across the country.

He was fortunate to have had a family reunion in Cambria in June 2014, with many of these beloved people present. Per Phil's request, there will be no services, and ashes will be scattered at sea. In lieu of flowers donations to a favorite charity in Phil's memory would be appreciated.
 
Published in The San Diego Union Tribune on Mar. 4, 2018