Obituary of Philip A. Birka

Philip Anthony Birka died peacefully at the T. Boone Pickens Hospice in Dallas on November 28, 2019, Thanksgiving Day, in the presence of his family.

He was born in Toronto, Canada, on January 27, 1934, the youngest of four children, to Peter Birka and Eveleen Finerty Birka. He spent his youth in Detroit, where he attended Jesuit High School and the University of Michigan. In 1957-58 he served in the U.S. Army, stationed in Frankfurt, Germany, where he met his wife, Johanna. They were married in 1959 in Detroit and from there moved to Miami, Florida, where he managed a Doubleday bookstore.

In the sixties, Phil's employment with Chrysler Corporation took him to Atlanta, Ga., Hattiesburg, Miss., Memphis, Tenn., and San Antonio, Tex. In 1971, he joined Volkswagen of America, which brought him to Dallas, traveling as District Parts Manager covering various territories. Phil enjoyed living in Texas very much, going to the beach, golfing, and traveling. He also loved listening to jazz, reading, and entertaining friends and family. Phil and his wife celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary just a month before his death.

Phil is predeceased by his brothers John and Francis, and is survived by his sister Mary McCann, of Detroit, his wife Johanna Birka, his daughter Andrea Bemporad and husband Henry Bemporad of San Antonio, and his grandchildren David and Lily. 

A memorial service for Phil will be held in San Antonio.