Obituary - Philip S. Kaluza

Philip S. Kaluza of West Covina, Calif., 88, passed away of natural causes on May 31, 2022 in San Clemente, CA.

Born July 13, 1933, in Havre, MT, Phil was the middle of five children of Jacob and Gianna Kaluza. He graduated from Havre High School in 1951. He enlisted in the Army for two years and later in the National Guard. 

Phil attended Northern Montana College in Havre, earning a bachelor's degree in education and later a master's degree from Montana State College, later University of Montana, in Missoula. 

Phil married the love of his life and best friend, Jeanette Anderson Kaluza of Chinook, in 1959 and celebrated their golden anniversary before her passing in 2009.  Every year they traveled back to Montana.

He retired in 1994 after counseling 27 years at West Covina High School. After retiring, he worked part time as a guidance counselor at Tri-Community Adult Education in Covina, CA for another 15 years. Phil cherished time spent with family and friends, volunteering at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, and encouraging people of all ages to find careers they would pursue with passion and pride.  

Phil was preceded in death by his brothers, Tony and Archie. 

He is survived by his daughters Cheryl Anderson and Lyndie O'Toole; his beloved grandchildren Daniel and Kristyn Cichirillo and Garrett and Brett O'Toole. Also surviving are his sisters, Mary Jane (Chuck) Funk and Eleanor (Ron) Swenson.

A celebration of Phil's life will be held Saturday, July 16 at 9:30 am at Sacred Heart Church in West Covina, CA, with a reception following in the parish hall. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch Foundation on Billings, MT.