Senior Master Sgt. Philip J. Sacco, U.S. Air National Guard, Ret.

Philip J. Sacco passed away on June 19, 2025, at age 74 in Colchester, Connecticut. Phil was born Nov. 9, 1950, in Waterbury, Conn., to Francis P. Sacco and Lillian Adams Sacco.  He attended Wolcott High School majoring in Industrial Arts and enlisted in the U.S. Navy SeaBees in 1969. Phil saw service in Kodiak, Alaska, as a Fire/Crash crew OIC and in Vietnam (Naval Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit 302 Team 19) as a Heavy Equipment Operator.  After that service and deployment, he worked as a carpenter for the next 20 years building and remodeling homes in Connecticut and Rhode Island. He then joined the Connecticut Air National Guard, as a Supply Specialist (103 Tactical Fighter Wing) in 1995 and participated in several deployments to the Middle East in Iraq and Afghanistan.  

He will be remembered as incredibly dependable, supportive, and the first to offer help when someone needed it. His cooking skills were legendary, and he took great pride in sharing his latest recipes and secret ingredients. Phil’s family and friends loved when they’d hear his infectious, rumbling Sacco laugh as he shared jokes and stories about his incredibly adventurous and fun life.  

Throughout his life, he enjoyed fishing and kayaking. Phil lived “The Lake Life” on the shores of Pickerel Lake. Many memories were made there with his “Lake” family and friends, from talking about politics and movies, to hosting the best parties around. He was also a great listener, voicing support and advice to let his loved ones know he had their back and believed in them. Animals held a special place in his heart – whether they were his own beloved dogs or the neighborhood cat he bought treats for. An avid motorcyclist in his younger years, he helped and sponsored motorcycle rides for the CT Stand Down at the Rocky Hill Veterans Home to support homeless veterans.  

He is survived by his sisters Mary Beth Evans, Janis Sacco MacDonald and Christine (JP) Roy; daughter Lisa Cramer; grandchildren Daxton and Logan; and nieces and nephews Amy (Pat) Roy, Bryan Roy, and Ian (Emily) MacDonald. Special thanks to Phil’s longtime close friends Mac McCorrison and Michael McClary for the weekly visits and calls, he so enjoyed every moment of them; also to Keith Charbonnier for helping Phil with errands and yard work, as well as endless talks about global crisis; and last but certainly not least, his beloved dog Max who is living out his senior life in Wisconsin now.  He was preceded in death by his parents. We know his German Shepherds, Sampson and Sammy, were waiting to greet him for a trip to Salmon River. There will be no service per Phil’s wishes. Any donations should be made to Best Friends Animal Society no-kill shelters.