Philip Richina

Philip Lawrence Richina passed away peacefully at home with his family by his side.  He fought a short battle with Metastatic Colon cancer.

Phil was born on June 9, 1949, in Bakersfield, California.  He attended Rosedale School, BHS, Bakersfield College & Cal Poly SLO.

Phil is survived by his wife Cindy, son Tony Richina, daughter Angela Devin (husband Jimmy Devin), granddaughter Claire Pratt, step-grandchildren Ashley Devin & Hunter Devin, sister Pat Richina and sister Susan Richina. He also leaves behind his brothers and sisters-in-law: Gary Duncan, Linda and Randy Jelmini, Stacy and David Jelmini, Michele Jelmini, Marie and Bryan Batey, and a host of nieces and nephews.

Phil was preceded in death by his parents Lucille and Lawrence Richina, brother James Richina, in-laws Dalma and John Jelmini, sister-in-law Claudia Duncan and brother-in-law Richard Jelmini.

Phil followed his father’s footsteps into the Hay Business; a profession he dearly loved! For the next 27 years he dedicated himself to cutting, raking, baling, and hauling alfalfa.  In 1999 he transitioned the business into chopping silage for the many new dairies that opened in Bakersfield.  For Phil, this was not just a job; he took great pride in putting up the best quality feed possible.

The hobby of the moment in his forties was snow skiing.  He enjoyed this sport with his wife and children as well as extended family and friends. In his fifties, it was all about golf.  He joined the Bakersfield Country Club and spent as much free time as he could learning the game.  His buddies there fondly called him “Hay Baler”.  While recovering from a hip replacement, Phil watched a lot of cooking shows on tv.  He developed a desire to learn how to cook, and boy was he good at it!  Cindy relinquished the kitchen to him & he cooked many fabulous meals & desserts after that.  When Granddaughter Claire was attending Veterans Elementary, she would walk home from school to our home each day.  Phil had fun preparing special after-school snacks for her; he loved her dearly! In retirement he became a woodworker.  He started by watching YouTube videos & later honed his craft thru the mentorship of his cousin, Phil Shepard.  In the last four years he made countless Wine Barrel & Adirondack chairs.  However, his favorite was the Grandpa Adirondack rocking chairs which he crafted from fine woods.  Phil was extremely close to his sister Pat.  They spent many an hour ‘cussing & discussing’ whatever situation was at hand. A recent highlight was Phil & Cindy celebrating their 50th Wedding Anniversary.  It was a special day shared with close family members.  He loved Angela and Tony, and they were happy they got to spend Phil’s last days camped out in our home, being able to talk to him anytime they wanted.  Phil made one last trip to his garage workshop two days before passing, rocking in his favorite chair while visiting with family.

Services will be held at St. Elizbeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 12300 Reina Road, Bakersfield 93312 on Monday, August 23, 2021, at 9:30 a.m.  Burial will follow immediately afterward at Historic Union Cemetery, 730 Potomac Avenue, Bakersfield 93307.

If you wish to make a contribution in Phil’s memory, the family suggests the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Building Fund.