Farewell to area pharmacist Phil Guastella

The south suburban community is mourning the loss of a beloved figure: Oak Lawn resident Phillip L. Guastella, 82, owner of Hills Family Drug, who died May 28 from health issues related to pulmonary fibrosis.

Phil is survived by Diana, his wife of 59 years; four children—Frank Anderson, Ross Guastella, Carla Martin, and Gia Cipriani, and their respective spouses Michael, Marla, Erik, and Bruno; 10 grandchildren—Rosario, Angelo, Veronica, Rocky, Maria, Nick, Logan, Neo, Phil, and Austin; and siblings Frank Guastella and Rosemary Douglas.

Born in 1939 and raised in Chicago, Phil attended Gage Park elementary school, where he would meet his future wife Diana, who was also a student with him at Gage Park High School. They dated, married, began raising a family, and settled in Oak Lawn in 1967.

Phil graduated from the pharmacy program at the University of Illinois-Chicago in 1965 at age 27. That year, his first job was as a pharmacist for Hills Family Drug store in Hickory Hills. Seven years later, he became a partner in the business; in 1973, he attained sole ownership, opening more pharmacy locations in Justice, Palos Hills, Palos Heights, and Orland Park over the years.

He ran his enterprise as a family-operated business, employing his wife as a bookkeeper, his daughter Gia as a pharmacist and vice president, and his daughter Carla as a pharmacy technician. His sons Ross and Frank also worked at Hills Family Drug locations in their younger years.

Phil prided himself on providing exceptional customer service, offering free deliveries to patrons upon request and discounts to senior citizens. He estimated that he collectively filled over 5 million prescriptions for south suburban residents during his career.

"When you love what you do, you never have to work a day in your life," he often remarked.

Phil most wanted to be remembered as an adoring husband to his lifelong partner Diana—the "love of his life"—and a devoted family man. The second love of his life was his four children and 10 grandchildren. Phil regularly and proudly attended their sporting events, providing encouragement and support, and relished their accomplishments. He commonly expressed that his kids and grandkids were an extension of his heart. "Alla famiglia," he used to say, quoting his favorite film "Moonstruck."

Additionally, Phil was an avid golfer, tennis player, White Sox and Bears fan, and nature lover—passions he often engaged in with Diana, family, and friends. A lifelong lover of animals, he owned several pets, including Dobermans, a Pug, a parrot, angelfish (which he bred), and even a squirrel monkey. He enjoyed watching the birds, squirrels, and ducks gather at the feeder around his kitchen window.

Visitation is on Tuesday, May 31, from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Curley Funeral Home (6116 W. 111th St., Chicago Ridge), where a funeral gathering will be held Wednesday, June 1, at 10 a.m. A mass will be held one hour later, at 11 a.m., at St. Linus Church (10300 Lawler Ave, Oak Lawn). Interment is at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. For more information, phone Curley Funeral Home at 708-422-2700.