WILMINGTON — Philip Dana Pearsall, 80, passed away after a short illness at his home in Landfall, Wilmington, NC on January 11, 2025.
Born in Altoona, Pennsylvania, November 17, 1944, during WW II, Phil was raised near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania until he was twelve, when his family moved to Greensboro, North Carolina. He attended UNC-CH and Guilford College where he received a BA in Business Administration in 1966 before embarking on his early career as an insurance underwriter.
After settling for a time in Southern Pines, Phil moved his family to Chapel Hill in 1981 where he bought a small local insurance agency and named it Village Insurance Agency. Through the 1980’s Village grew organically and made several acquisitions. He was later joined by his two sons, Keith Pearsall, in 1989, and David Pearsall, in 1995. In January of 2005, after almost 40 years in the business, Phil retired, and the agency was purchased by his sons. The agency continues to be run by them today as Business Insurers of the Carolinas, and it is known nationally for protecting all types of pet care professionals.
Phil was much loved by his friends and family and was an active member of the Landfall community from the early 1990’s until now. He was a gifted cellist, playing professionally in the North Carolina Symphony while he was in high school, and he continued to be passionate about music of all types, throughout his life. He inherited a passion for travel from his parents and traveled extensively around the world with his wife, Ellen, and his family. Tennis and golf were a central part of his everyday life throughout his life, as was sitting in his favorite chair at his home, reading and looking out over its extraordinary view of Howes Creek and the Atlantic beyond.
Phil is predeceased by his parents, Grant and Marjory Garman Pearsall. He is survived by his wife of twenty-one years, Ellen Vann Pearsall; sons, Keith Pearsall, and wife, Dana and David Pearsall; and brother, Frederick Pearsall. Additionally, he is survived by his beloved grandchildren: Keith’s children, Ariana Pearsall McGill and husband Emory, and Buck Pearsall and Cacki Pearsall, and David’s sons Woodruff, Sawyer, and Sampson Pearsall; by his stepson Gregory Austin and step-granddaughter Lily Elizabeth Austin, and stepdaughter Ashley Austin Kelly and husband Brendon.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00PM Wednesday, January 22, 2025, at Andrews Market Street Chapel, 1617 Market Street, Wilmington, NC 28401. A reception will follow at the Dye Clubhouse in Landfall Country Club.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Philip’s memory may be made to the charity of one’s choice.
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