Philip Carl Gustafson, 71, of Rochester, passed away on Saturday, Aug. 3 at his summer cottage, Lil’ Acre, in Fairhaven after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Born on Jan. 27, 1942 in New Bedford, he was the beloved son of the late Pauline (Gifford) Jacobson, of Wareham, and the late Philip Carl Gustafson Sr., of Somerset. He was the brother of the late Susan Jacobson, of Wareham. He was the dearly loved husband of Kimberly (Barrett) Gustafson, of Rochester.

He was a graduate of Wareham High School, class of 1959 and went on to attend college at Lowell Tech. Phil began his work career as a draftsman at the Acushnet Process Co. before becoming a Union Construction Laborer as a proud member of Laborers’ Local 721 in Brockton, Mass. before retiring in 2005.

Phil enjoyed spending time with family and friends, music, vintage movies, camping, fishing, cribbage, Christmas nights on County Road, summers at his cherished summer cottage and entertaining many with his fabulous singing and guitar playing. Phil mostly looked forward to putting on Sunday dinners for his entire family during the fall and winter months.

He was a life member of the Improved Order of Redmen, Cromesett Tribe #156 of Wareham and also a Past Great Sachem of The Massachusetts Great Council. He was a member of the Wankinquoah Rod and Gun Club.

Survivors include his wife Kimberly, his son Cullen Gustafson and his wife Laurie, of Plymouth, his daughter Delacy Gustafson and her partner John Revil, of Bridgewater, his son Scott Gustafson and his wife Stefanie of Plymouth, his twin daughters Tara Bazarewsky and her husband Todd, of Plymouth, and Audra Schiappa and her husband Emo, of Wareham, his daughter Heidi Gustafson, of Bourne, his daughter Heather Barrett, of Middleboro and his daughter Stephanie Johnson and her husband Billy, of Sagamore Beach. Gustafson had 19 grandchildren who he loved and adored. Gustafson was very close with many of his cousins, especially Jennifer Rusinoski, of Mattapoisett who spent much of her free time sharing old family stories and recipes and was often with him providing comfort during his recent battle.

His funeral will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 9 from the Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home, 2599 Cranberry Highway, Wareham.  Interment will follow at Rochester Center Cemetery Dexter Lane Rochester. Visiting hours will be held from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 8 at Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home, 2599 Cranberry Highway (Route 28), Wareham.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the James Desroches Memorial Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 52, South Carver, MA, 02366.  ­­