Felice (Phil) Rea

On April 30, 2026, Felice (Phil) Rea, a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away at the age of 100. He was born on March 13, 1926, in Detroit, Michigan to Francesco & Gioconda Rea. Felice with his six siblings (Josephine, Angeline, Frank, Mary, Teddy, James) grew up in Dearborn, Michigan where he went to Henry Ford Trade School, played baseball and hung out with friends at Leon’s candy shop.

At 17 years old, Felice joined the US Navy turning 18 within a month of joining. He served as a Seaman First Class for 2 ½ years during World War II on LST810, in the Pacific Theater, receiving Victory, Asiatic Pacific Campaign, American Campaign, and Philippines Liberations medals. He was very proud of his service to his country. After the war, he spent his past-time traveling, hunting, and bowling. He became an apprentice and graduated into a Journeyman Plumber in 1951. He recently accepted an award for 75 years of service from Plumbers Local 98 and was their oldest living member.

Felice met and married the love of his life, Rose Marie Schuster on October 21, 1961. They built a home in Livonia (1961) where they raised their three children, Philip, Phyllis and Marc. Family was very important to Felice and he worked hard around his home to provide a place they would enjoy spending time at. He put in two swimming pools with a heater, built a deck with a huge sandbox underneath, and put in all of the paver bricks around it. In the basement he set up a swing and pool table, booths where the kids play games and make crafts along with building shelves to proudly display the kid’s artwork and model planes.

In later years, with Rose Marie and Marc they traveled to Florida eventually purchasing a condo near family in Bradenton, Florida. Felice came back to Michigan permanently when Rose Marie passed away and became a regular at Sunday night dinners with his family. He continued as Marc’s primary caregiver in the most committed and loving way.

His grandchildren provided immense joy and he spent much time with them. Felice was always available to help and regularly picked up/dropped off for gymnastic practice, made dinners, went to the kid’s hockey games and played goalie in mini-stick games. Holidays, birthdays and religious events were always spent together. Felice was blessed to be a great-grandfather and loved his visits with great-grandson, Vincent.

He is lovingly remembered by his son Philip Rea and his wife Karen; his daughter Phyllis Martino and her husband John; and his son Marc Rea. And he will hold a special place in the hearts of his grandchildren Gabriel Martino, Christian Rea and his wife Lucy, Meaghan Rea, Paulette Martino, Easton Rea and great-grandson Vincent Martino forever.

Family and friends may visit the Schrader-Howell Funeral Home, 280 South Main Street, Plymouth, Michigan on Wednesday, May 20, 2026 from 12:00 P.M. until the time of the Rosary beginning at 7:00 P.M.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, May 21, 2026 at St. Edith Catholic Church, 15089 Newburgh Road, Livonia, Michigan beginning at 11:00 A.M.

Phil will be laid to rest at Parkview Memorial Cemetery in Livonia, Michigan.

Those who wish to honor the memory of Felice Rea, please consider a donation to Community Opportunity Center, 14147 Farmington Road, Livonia, Michigan 48154 or online at: Community Opportunity Center    

Contribution envelopes will be available at Schrader-Howell.