Phillip Anderson Harte

Phillip Anderson “Phil” Harte, 56, of St. Joseph passed away Sunday, February 23, 2020 at his home. A Celebration of Life Service will take place on Friday, February 28, 2020 at 10 AM at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, with Pastor Marlo Fritzke officiating. Burial will follow at North Shore Memory Gardens in Coloma. Friends may visit with the family on Thursday, February 27, from 5 PM until 7 PM at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to The Humane Society of Southwest Michigan. Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Phil was born on June 24, 1963, in St. Joseph to Oliver Ames & Susan (Anderson) Harte. He grew up with his six brothers and eventually would grow to include three more wonderful women; his second mother, Barbara and sisters, Tracey & Laura Spencer. He graduated from St. Joseph High School. In 1995, while working at Lake Michigan Mailers, Phil walked into work and met Laurie Gnagi. The two went on a few dates and he knew he had met his soul mate. On April 25, 1998, Phil married Laurie, the love of his life. From a young age, Phil always had a passion for drawing. He took a number of art classes at various places such as The Chicago Institute of Art, Western Michigan University, and Columbia College Chicago. Phil had a number of sketch pads filled with his creative drawings he designed or ones his nieces and nephews helped him create. He also enjoyed playing games of all types. Every Tuesday, Phil & Laurie would host game night at their house, while many games were played the main focus would be Dungeons and Dragons, with Phil being the DM (Dungeon Master). When he wasn’t spending time with his brothers, enjoying game night or hanging out with his nieces & nephews, Phil would be riding his bike. Always decked out in his red and black biking gear, he would ride for hours through downtown, along the beach, and basically anywhere with a paved road. When the weather wasn’t ideal for outdoor biking he would simply hop on his stationary bike he had inside. Phil was an intelligent man, who always had a witty comeback for everything. If anyone’s opinions were different from his, he would respect it but then list all the ways it’s wrong and he’s right. His love for animals, kindness, humor, and huge heart will be missed tremendously by everyone. Phil is survived by his wife of nearly 22 years, Laurie; brothers, Jeffery (Paulette), David, Theodore “Teddy”, William “Bill” (Elaine), Johnathan, and Patrick; step-mom, Barbara Harte; mother-in-law, Jean Gnagi; sister-in-law, Marjorie (Robert) Mickaels; brothers-in-law, Brian Gnagi, Christopher (Nancy) Gnagi, and Thomas Starks; numerous nieces & nephews; best friend, Frank Hammerschmidt; and three cats, Leo, Lulu & Manza. Phil was preceded in death by his parents, Oliver and Susan; and sisters, Tracey Starks & Laura Spencer.