Phil Carriere

Phil Carriere

Phillip "Phil" Carriere

Phil Carriere passed away on December 13, 2019.

Phillip C. “Phil” Carriere
1943 – 2019

Diamondhead

Phillip C. “Phil” Carriere, age 76 of Diamondhead, MS, entered eternal rest on Friday, December 13, 2019, surrounded by his four children and wife of almost 39 years, Beth Butterfield Carriere.

Phil was born January 8, 1943 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana but grew up in his beloved Mississippi City, MS. He attended primary school there until his transfer to Gulfport High School, where he proudly served as Junior Class President and excelled in football and track-and-field. It was during these joyous, formative years that Phil and his brother, Jerry, were raised and supported by an adored single mom, Bernice Rita Cullinane Carriere. For the last 14 years Phil has been a resident of Diamondhead, MS, having served on the Property Owner’s Association as its elected Treasurer during the rebuilding of the community in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

Phil was a 1961 graduate of Gulfport High School, where he lettered in football and track-and-field. He earned a football scholarship to Perkinston Junior College, where he also competed on the track-and-field team. Upon graduating with an Associate’s Degree, Phil entered the U. S. Marine Corps Reserves. He was trained at Parris Island, SC and later stationed at Camp Lejeune, NC before earning an honorable discharge after 5 years of service to his country.

After the Marines, Phil began a career in lending and commercial banking that spanned more than 50 years with seven different banks. In recent years, Phil began a commercial lender training program at Community Bank of Mississippi for the Coast region. Over the years he took great pride in meeting many local business owners who would remind him that he “had made them their first bank loan that got them started in a successful career of their own.” He cared for his clients and truly enjoyed their success.

During his career, Phil enjoyed volunteering in his local community as an active member of many organizations. Among those were as Treasurer and President of the Gulfport Lions Club and later as President of the Biloxi Lions Club. He also served as president of the Gulfport Kiwanis Club and was honored with the George F. Fellow Award, which recognized his service to the organization and community over many years. While Phil enjoyed all his service to the community (much of it done anonymously), his favorite time and service was as player agent, president, coach, grass cutter, bathroom cleaner, field maintainer, and fundraiser with the Handsboro-Mississippi City Little League in Gulfport, MS. It is during the time spent here that he was able to see his sons, Scott and Brian, enjoy the national pastime and grow to excel in the sport.

When Phil married Beth in 1981, he welcomed his two new daughters, Heather and Jennifer Harris, who were school cheerleaders. Time watching his children was only exceeded by the enjoyment of watching his grandchildren in all of their sports and extra-curricular activities.

Phil was a devout Catholic, having spent his first 61 years as a member of St. James Catholic Church in Gulfport before becoming a member of Most Holy Trinity Catholic in Pass Christian, MS where he served as finance chairperson at the request of Father Paddy Mockler.

Phil was preceded in death by his mother, Bernice Rita Cullinane Carriere and father, Phillip C. Carriere Jr. Phil is survived by his devoted and loving wife of almost 39 years and caregiver during his battle with cancer, Beth Butterfield Carriere of Diamondhead. Phil is also survived by one brother, Jerry (Fern Demourelle) Carriere of Gulfport; sons Scott Carriere of Hattiesburg and Brian (Meredith Funk) Carriere of Gulfport; his daughters Heather Harris Schenck and Jennifer Harris of Biloxi. Phil’s nine grandchildren include Regan Carriere of Omaha, Nebraska; Austin Carriere of Hattiesburg; Carolina, Carter, and Dutch Carriere of Gulfport; Brody McMahan and Catherine Harris of Biloxi; and Skyler and Ethan Schenck, also of Biloxi.

The family would like to graciously thank Dr. Sheba Thomas of MD Anderson Center in Houston, TX and Dr. Allison Wall of Memorial Hospital at Gulfport for allowing us to have six extra years with Phil. They also are thankful to the Kare In Home hospice nurses Angela McCormick, Tracy and Keesha.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St James Catholic Church in Gulfport on Tuesday, December 17, 2019 at 12:30 pm. Visitation will begin at 10:30 am until 12:30 pm. Interment will follow in St James Catholic Cemetery in Gulfport.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that contributions be made to MD Anderson Cancer Center or St Jude Children’s Hospital.

The RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, Gulfport, is serving the family and online tributes may be offered at www.riemannfamily.com.

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On May 11, 2019 Phil wrote:
At May 2015 I am settled into working from home or anywhere with an internet connection as a Appraisal Coordinator for Community Bank of Mississippi as Commercial Real Estate Appraisal Reviewer. I enjoy living in a golfing community and play often. I also watching my grandsons play travel ball baseball and playing golf with my 2 grown sons when time permits.

I continue with my battle with a multiple myeloma cancer and it is currently at an acceptable level, however, I recently had to put chemo infusions on hold do to cumulative effects of an aggressive dosage since Nov. 2018. Going back to M D Anderson next week and we'll find another treatment option to work with. "it's a marathon not a sprint".

My best to all.

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On July 29, 2008 Phil wrote:
In February 2008 I began semi-retirement while remaining with Community Bank. I had the privilege of being allowed to write my own job description. I agreed to a one year deal working 3 & 1/2 days a week training entry level and existing junior lenders for our bank. We created an in-house training program to that end. Additionally, I have assumed the duties of Appraisal Coordinator responsible for review of every real estate appraisal for the 8 Coast locations of our Bank as well as those of the Mobile office.

We have just agreed to a new 1 year deal to continue with this successful program for 2009 at 3 days a week while working Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Sweet! This schedule will allow long weekend trips. With today’s technology, the work can be performed the 2 off days from remotely anywhere I may be. I just can’t commit to a full time retirement and this allows me to stay connected to the work I love (teaching the new guys).

I have begun to work on my “Bucket List” and in addition to having attended the Masters Golf Tournament in 1992 (Fred Couples won) I will use time in August of 2008 to attend a game at Yankee Stadium (before they tear it down after this season) for a Yankees vs. Red Sox game. What a shame the icons of our High School years become subject to the wrecking ball, one by one. I am confident that when I set foot on the hallowed grown the memories of Mantle, Marris, Berra, Whitey Ford, Nelson Howard, Cleat Boyer, Billy Martin and company will bring back some wonderful memories that cannot be torn down. This period will be best be remembered for the guys who played “for love of the game”.

You guys should not be surprised if your hear from me to see if your Bucket List and mine may have common items we may enjoy together.

We are expecting our 8^th grandchild in days and in anticipation of retirement we purchased a motor home about a year ago and anticipate making memories with our children and grand children. The process has already begun with several trips already in the books.

I think of you guys much more often these days and am very thankful for the time we spent together. God bless you.

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10-31-05
Doing well after the "big blow". We were in the process of a move having bought a new home on 8/22 and 8/29 being the day the movers were to come. Finally got in new house and have the usual roof damage along with soffit and facia but we got a house. All 4 kids and 6 grandkids doing well. We stayed on the cost for the storm. How stupid was that? Hope to see you all soon and God Bless.

2004
I have spent the last 30 plus years in the commercial banking industry on the Ms. Gulf Coast. I am currently Sr. Vice President of Commercial Lending with the Coast Community Bank, Gulfport. The bank is affiliated with 6 other community banks throughout Ms. from Southaven to the Ms. Gulf Coast.