Obituary of Philip F. Unger

Philip Frederick Unger, 91, passed away peacefully on April 22, 2022 surrounded by his family. Born June 9^th, 1930 to Albert and Frieda Unger, he and his brother Stephen were raised in the Gravesend section of Brooklyn, NY. Growing up, Phil had a passion for playing football, and was a member of the varsity football team at Lafayette High School until he graduated in 1948. He would then go on to join the football team at the University of Delaware for a year before joining the team at Brooklyn College, where he graduated in 1951. He was nicknamed “Nails” for his tenacity on the football field.

 

            On December 22, 1951, Phil would go on to marry his sweetheart from Lafayette High School, Marion Temple. Phil and Marion started their family in Brooklyn before moving to Stamford, Connecticut, where they raised their four sons. They built a home in North Stamford where they have continued to reside for the last 57 years. Marion was the love of his life and they were fortunate to spend over 70 wonderful years together.

 

            Phil graduated Brooklyn Law School in 1953 and went on to spend his career as a successful sales professional, entrepreneur, and business owner. After law school, he initially went into business with his father as a salesman for Hassenfeld Brothers, which would later become, Hasbro, the world’s leading toy company. After Hasbro, Phil and his father started making pencils at Unger Pencil Company and made brand name pencils popular for the first time. Years later, he founded Holiday Delites, where he bought licensing of popular brands, utilizing their characters and artwork to successfully market candy and snack foods via collectable packaging. He was a pioneer in the industry and one of the first to market these products in this way.

 

            In their later years, Phil and Marion would maintain a second residence in southeast Florida. He was a big advocate of perseverance, aptly naming his boat such and instilling in his children and grandchildren that “an Unger never quits”.  Phil was a dog lover and enjoyed working out and playing golf even into his mid-eighties.  He could frequently be seen tending to his garden in the back of the house, where he successfully grew different varieties of vegetables. He also loved to read the newspapers, favoring Barron’s on the weekends, as he shared enthusiasm for the stock market and other investments.

 

            Philip is survived by his wife of 70 years, Marion Unger; and four sons, Neal Unger of Somerset, NJ, Jonathan Unger of Palmyra, NJ, Douglas Unger and his wife, Susan of Milford, CT and Albert Unger of Stamford CT. He was also a loving Grandpa to nine grandchildren and three great grandchildren. The funeral service will take place on Tuesday, April 26 at 11:30 am at Sholom Chapel, 104 Myrtle Ave., Stamford, CT. A burial service will then follow at Mount Hebron Cemetery, 130-04 Horace Harding Expressway, Queens, NY. In lieu of flowers, donations in Phil’s name may be made to the American Heart Association.