Final Salute

January 28, 1933 – March 13, 2023
Born and raised in San Francisco, Philip lived a full life both on the job as a tradesman and at home as a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend to many. The only child of Sam and Betty Cramer, Phil grew up on 35th Ave, back when the Sunset District was still sand dunes. Graduating from Lincoln High School class of 1950, Philip served in the Navy and as a member of the Seabees, helped to build the Subic Bay Navy Base in the Philippines. Upon returning from the service, Philip trained to become an electrician, a career he loved. As a proud member IBEW Local 6 for over 50 years, Phil worked jobs all over downtown San Francisco, including the Bank of America Building.
Philip had many passions in life, but nothing was more sacred to him than spending time up in Silver City, Idaho a mining boom town from the late 1800’s nestled in the Owyhee Mountains outside of Boise. He first visited the ghost town in 1957 and established mining claims with his partners Frank and Bill Kahely. Working the Red Jacket, Ruth Anne, Afterthought and others, he mined for gold and silver. What he found remains a secret but truly he discovered his place in life, owning different homes in the town, including the Silver Slipper. Phil spent time in Silver as much as he could, rock hunting on the mountain in his 1942 Willys Jeep in the summer, deer season in the fall, and snowmobiling in the winter. As Silver City is also a craftsman’s dream town, with the historical homes always in need of upkeep, he also enjoyed working on repairs and improvements and could be found “porchgrazing” with friends during cocktail hour after. He always loved spirits and enjoyed his infamous “Cramer” vodka cocktail. Besides Silver City, Phil also enjoyed spending time in Truckee, CA, also building a home there from foundation to finish.
Philip was a classic tradesman, he worked hard and played harder. Back in the 60’s he raced Corvettes and bartended the burlesque clubs on Broadway Street. He traveled the world and loved to meet and make new friends over drinks and adventure.
In the late 70’s, Phil met his life partner Nancy and they married in 1982, honeymooning on a European tour of a lifetime. In 1988 with his family, he moved to Petaluma, CA, after the birth of his second son, Sam. He retired in the mid-1990s and loved to work around the house and be an active Dad.
Philip is survived by his wife, Nancy, their two sons, Aaron (with Chelsea), Sam and daughter in law Clare, and his grandchildren, Kyle, Shayna, and River. His daughter Tracy, no longer with us, he loved with all his heart. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
Please join us in raising a glass to Phil, here’s to you Dad. OPA!

Published by Press Democrat on Apr. 2, 2023.