Philip Stuart Wechsler, who was raised in Pacific Palisades, died April 7, 2014, from complications of Parkinson’s Disease. He was 58, and he had battled his illness for 20 years. Phil was born at Temple Hospital in Los Angeles on October 7, 1955. His family lived in Westchester at the time, but before his second birthday the family moved to their home on Enchanted Way in Pacific Palisades, where Philip and his older sister, Ruth, grew up. They were the children of Joseph and Elaine Wechsler, who lived in that house until their deaths in 2008 and 2012, respectively.
The family was very close, and Joe drove them on many vacations around the United States and Canada to see the country and get to know their East Coast relatives. Phil went to Marquez Elementary, Paul Revere Junior High and Palisades High School, graduating in the class of 1973. He attended San Diego State University and transferred to UCLA.
Phil was a loving, funny, generous child and adult, adored by family and friends. He could drive his parents and sister to distraction, but no one could stay angry with him when he looked at them with his blue, blue eyes. He spent his career in the restaurant industry, working as a manager in restaurants in California, Chicago and Arizona.
After working for Mother Tucker, Tampico Tilly’s, El Torito and other establishments, he became one of the first managers in the Johnny Rockets chain, overseeing the opening of franchises in several states. The founders of Johnny Rockets respected Phil’s organizational ideas and skills, and the people who worked for him were extremely loyal.
Not long after his wedding in 1993, Phil and his wife moved to Phoenix, Ariz. He began to notice a tremor in one hand, but he was not diagnosed with Parkinson’s until two years later. The marriage did not long survive the devastating diagnosis. Once he could no longer work, Phil spent the last decade of his life in assisted living facilities in and around Phoenix. He loved the desert, and even though he no longer lived in the house he had shared with his ex-wife, he wanted to remain in Arizona.
He made frequent trips to Pacific Palisades to visit with his parents; his sister, her husband Rick and their two children, Josh and Jeanette; and his friends. Eventually he had to give up driving, and the disease gradually robbed him of his ability to work, walk, talk, type and even smile. Despite his disability, Phil’s approach to his life and his disease was inspiring. When asked if he ever thought, “Why me?” his answer was, “Why not me? People get things, and I got Parkinson’s.” He never lost his sense of humor, and the staff and fellow residents at the facility where he spent his last three years all loved him. The director of the facility frequently said he regarded Phil as a brother. “He changed me,” the director said after Phil’s death.
A memorial service was held at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery on April 10, officiated by Rabbi Morley Feinstein and Cantor Jay Frailich of University Synagogue, the temple where Ruth and Phil had received their religious education. Cousins, friends and immediate family recalled many stories about Phil, and there were many more laughs than tears throughout the day – just the way Phil would have wanted it. Phil is survived by his sister Ruth (Rick) Mills of Pacific Palisades, nephew Josh Mills, niece Jeanette Mills and many loving cousins. Contributions may be made in his name to any Parkinson’s-related charity.
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