ST. JOHNSVILLE - Mr. Philip J. Terricola, age 86, a lifelong resident of St. Johnsville, NY passed away on Friday evening April 17, 2015 at St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Utica, NY. Phil was born on September 22, 1928 in St. Johnsville, the son of the late Graziano and Romilda (Giovampietro) Terricola. Phil was united in marriage to his high school sweetheart of 64 years, the former Josephine "Josie" Palma, on June 4, 1950 at the St. Patricks's Catholic Church, St. Johnsville with Fr. Scully officiating. Phil graduated from St. Johnsville High School in 1947 after being crowned king to Josie's queen at the Senior Prom. Phil was accepted at Hartwick College on a baseball scholarship and was recruited by the Brown's professional baseball team, along with his best friend, Dominick Fontana. Phil was an accomplished baseball and basketball player. "Flyin' Phil" proved to be one of the great sharpshooters of the Mohawk Valley semi-pro basketball team. Phil was the first baseball player to hit a homerun under the lights at the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Park in St. Johnsville. He was a rural mail carrier for the St. Johnsville Post Office, and retired from there after twenty-five years of service. Phil was an avid golfer, bowler, dancer, and snowmobiler. After he retired, they purchased their first RV and spent many years travelling to Florida, Maine, and Pennsylvania. In 1984, his granddaughter, Wendy, was born and became the apple of his eye. He enjoyed dancing with Wendy at her wedding last year. Phil enjoyed being with his family and socializing with old friends as well as new friends he met along his journey through life. He is survived by his beloved wife of nearly 65 years, Josie, his daughters, Phyllis Johnson and her husband Don of Little Falls and Linda Terricola of Amsterdam, his granddaughter, Wendy McGrath and her husband Jason of Arlington, Virginia, his sister - in - law, Lena Terricola of St. Johnsville, his niece Connie Terricola of St. Johnsville and a nephew Terry Terricola of Florida and several cousins. He was predeceased by his parents, his brothers, Constantine "C.J." and Terrenzio Terricola and his brother - in - law, John "Buttsy" Palma. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday April 21, 2015 at 11:00 AM from St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 32 West Main Street in St. Johnsville where his Catholic funeral mass will be celebrated by Rev. Rafal Dadello. Interment will follow at the family plot in St. Johnsville Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made in Phil's name to the Catholic Church in St. Johnsville or to St. Johnsville Ambulance. Family and friends are invited to attend calling hours at the Enea Family Funeral Home, 9 Center Street in St. Johnsville on Monday April 20th from 3 until 8 PM. An evening wake service will be offered by Father Dadello at 4:15 PM at the funeral home. An online memorial page in honor of Philip Terricola has been established at www.eneafamily.com. The family is being served by funeral directors Harry & Kevin Enea (518) 568-2300. The family extends their sincere gratitude to the staff of the St. Johnsville Bassett Center with very special thanks to Dr. R. Curtis Mills, Dr. Hunter Marlo, and Dr. Anush Patel.