Phillip B. Verrette
age 58, a longtime resident and practicing attorney in Tucson, AZ, passed away on June 23, 2015. Phil was born in West Branch, Michigan. He was an extraordinary man who inspired everyone he met throughout his life. He lost his father at age 11, and at age 20, he was in an automobile accident which left him paralyzed from the neck down. He rehabbed in Colorado, then moved to Arizona where he put himself through college and law school. He specialized in Social Security Disability Law and opened his own practice, the Verrette Law Office. Phil helped thousands of people have a better life during his career. He survived almost 40 years post injury as a quadriplegic which is about ten years longer than doctors told him he had when he was injured. Phil was amazing not only in what he was able to overcome and achieve, but in his ability to feel and show the deepest compassion and empathy for those who seemingly had a much lesser burden to bear. Phil loved to talk baseball, food, classic movies, or any troubles you might be having that he could possibly help with. Regarding his relationship with his wife, Kelly, he often said that he had never been happier in his life. That feeling was mutual. They eloped to Sedona one New Year's Eve to be married out on the red rocks. In all, they had nearly ten wonderful years together. Phil is survived by his loving wife, Kelly; brother, Bernie Diffin and his wife, Holli, of Tucson, AZ; brother, Bill Verrette; nephews, Ryan Morningstar and Cameron Verrette and mother, Maureen Diffin, of Dafter, MI. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in his name to Pawsitively Cats, a local rescue/shelter, at P.O. Box 32115, Tucson, AZ 85751. Services will be held privately. Arrangements by BRING'S BROADWAY CHAPEL.