Philip “Phil” Michael Tremain

April 19, 1920 - July 17, 2020

Phil Tremain left this world to join his wife May, daughter Mary and the multitude of other relatives on Friday, July 17.  We are sad to lose him to Covid-19, but at 100 years old, we knew he was ready for heaven when the time came.  He left this world in high anticipation of his eternal home.

Phil was a teacher for his career starting at New Lisbon High School, WI, then onto Madison Technical College, WI and the majority of his tenure at Memorial High School and Chippewa Valley Technical College in Eau Claire, WI.  During his 40+ years as an educator, he taught thousands of students in Typing (now referred to as keyboarding), Business Law and Accounting.  He started his teaching career upon being discharged from the Army Air Corp in 1946.  While serving in Cairo during WWII, Phil met his future bride May, who worked in a British business office.  Their first date was a picnic along the Nile River and that set the stage for a 53-year marriage.

During his career, Phil actively participated in the Wisconsin Teacher’s Union helping to bring better salaries and benefits to his fellow teachers throughout the state.  He and May were “pioneer” members of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Eau Claire, WI.  He contributed much of his time teaching Catechism, participating in the choir, and providing bookkeeping support for Calvary Cemetery.  He loved supporting the local Drum and Bugle Corps in Eau Claire (The Sundowners), and drove their bus to many of the competitions.

Phil is survived by his four loving children, Christine Bando (Richard) of Fremont, WI; Philip E. Tremain of Fort Myers, FL; Kevin Tremain of Aurora, IL; Bob Tremain (Amy) of Rochester, MN; son-in-law Geoff Lippold of Palmira, WI; seventeen grandchildren and five great grandchildren. 

Phil is preceded in death by his wife, May Tremain in 2001; daughter Mary Lippold and eight siblings.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated for family due to COVID. To view the live stream at 11:00 AM CST on Saturday, September 5, 2020, please visit https://www.ic-ec.us/– then click on Mass Video/Audio (https://www.ic-ec.us/massvideo).

Memorial contributions in memory of Philip Tremain are suggested to:

Helping Hands Checks payable to: Helping Hands,480 Artesian Way, Wausau, WI 54401.  Helpinghandsjamaica-kenya.org or Seeds of Wisdom in South Sudan, Background and donation options on the website: Sowsouthsudan.org or 11 4th Avenue, SW Rochester MN  55902.

Mullins Memorial Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Fort Myers, is entrusted with final care.

Guestbook

  1. Elizabeth Husberg Jul 26, 2020 at 6:59 am

    Bobby and family,
    Arms around you.
    Elizabeth (Liz Larson) Husberg and Mike Husberg

  2. Craig Brenholt Jul 26, 2020 at 8:20 am

    I am so sorry to hear about your father’s passing. I have great memories of my high school and college days hanging out with Kevin and seeing his mom and dad when I’d stop at the house. They were both wonderful, gracious and caring people who deeply loved their family. Kevin, if you get a chance, send me an email — it would be great to reconnect. My very best to you all.

  3. Julie Jul 26, 2020 at 8:49 am

    Bob
    So sorry to hear of your dads passing.
    I know this is a hard time for you and your family, just remember you have your own an guardian angel watching over you and your family now.
    Stay safe
    Julie Zachau Weinberger

  4. Stephen Haugen Jul 26, 2020 at 10:12 am

    Mary and I are sorry to hear of your father’s death. We have great memories while at Regis and being with your parents often stoping at your house. I loved your mom’s accent and remember taking her for a ride when I got my mustang. Phil please send us your email. You and your family stay safe.

  5. The Amann family Jul 26, 2020 at 10:13 am

    What an amazing life Phil and May lived. RIP

  6. Don & Pam Gunderson Jul 26, 2020 at 11:36 am

    Thoughts and prayers to the Tremain family. Thinking of the old neighborhood days on Grand Avenue!

  7. Kathy (Struck) Novacek Jul 26, 2020 at 1:50 pm

    It was my pleasure to be a student of Mr. Tremain’s as well as co-worker at CVTC. A nicer guy you will never find and the best smile. He often spoke lovingly of his May and was very proud of his family.

  8. Sue Brown Jul 26, 2020 at 1:52 pm

    I have happy memories of Phil when we both taught at CVTC. We knew one another mostly from sharing a cup of coffee in the faculty lounge but I never forgot him. He had such a ready smile and a special way of throwing his head back when he laughed. I can also picture him in the hallways with books under his arm and his hair just ruffled enough to make him look like the quintessential professor on his way to class. A kind man. I’m sorry for your loss but glad I got to spend some time with him and a delight to think of him just now.

  9. Doug Olson Jul 26, 2020 at 2:32 pm

    I had Mr. Tremain for Typing at Memorial and for Accounting at CVTC, known then as District 1 Vocational and Technical School. He was a fine man and patient teacher.

  10. Debbie (Gunderson) Mardis Jul 26, 2020 at 4:34 pm

    I am so sorry to hear of your fathers passing.
    So many years have passed. I was young back when we were neighbors, but memories of your family remains. You were all family.
    May God bless you all. Your in our thoughts and prayers.

  11. Gloria Wilson Jul 26, 2020 at 6:40 pm

    Rest In Peace Mr. Tremain. You were an awesome teacher! My sympathy to the Tremain family.

  12. Lois (Vaillette) Grassl Jul 26, 2020 at 6:58 pm

    Kevin, Geoff and family. Sending warm thoughts at this sad time. Sundowners with Geoff and Mary, high school with Kevin.

  13. Nancy Johnson Bugni Jul 26, 2020 at 11:28 pm

    So sorry to hear about Mr. Tremain. He was my typing and accounting teacher at Eau Claire Memorial.
    He was a quiet, kind man who was very knowledgeable in our business classes—and a dry sense of humor and wit.
    God bless his family!
    Nancy Johnson Bugni
    Class of 1965
    And daughter of Mr. Al Johnson, Dean of Boys and Guidance Counselor

  14. David J. Estreen Jul 27, 2020 at 5:58 pm

    I had the privilege of being taught both typing at Eau Claire Memorial and catechism at IC by Mr. Tremain. At the first session of both classes he began by saying “my name is Mr. Tremain, like a tree on Main Street” And he was solid, steady and reliable just like a tree on Main Street. I took these classes in 1963. The catechism didn’t stick – I eventually converted to Judiasm, but I still use the keyboarding skills as a practicing attorney for the past 48 years. Thank you Mr. Tremain, you touched and improved many, many lives.

  15. Bob Wing Jul 27, 2020 at 9:29 pm

    I remember “Mr Tremain” as a teacher at Memorial High School where I was a student in the early 60’s and also as Kevin’s dad. Philip had a kind demeanor and conveyed a sense politeness and correctness. What a blessing that “He left this world in high anticipation of his eternal home.” Kevin, you and your siblings were blessed to have him as your father.

  16. Dean Knuth Jul 27, 2020 at 10:09 pm

    I took Mr. Tremain’s typing class at Eau Claire Memorial in the 1960’s. It was my most important class because I learned to touch type and I never looked at a keyboard throughout my career—U.S. Naval Academy, Grad School and a successful career. Thank you, Sir and God Bless you.

  17. Charles (Chuck) Woletz Jul 27, 2020 at 10:58 pm

    Dear Bob,
    I did not have your father as a teacher, but one can easily see how genuine and warm his smile is. I am sure he positively impacted thousands of young people in the classroom and on the field (marching band). May memories of good times together bring you laughter and peace.
    Sincerely,
    Chuck Woletz “Go Abes Go!” ’77

  18. Father Bruce Nieli, C.S.P. Jul 29, 2020 at 9:34 pm

    Phil sounds like a man I would like to have known. My dad, Anthony “Ace” Nieli, was also in the Air Corps during World War II. Phil was a fine teacher, community leader, loyal family man, and effective minister in his Church. His niece K is a dear friend of mine. May he rest in the arms of Jesus.🙏

  19. Pam Imislund Metzger Aug 3, 2020 at 10:55 am

    Mr. Tremain was one of the warmest, smile-iest folks ever. I knew the family from my early childhood on Grand Avenue. Christine and Phil, Jr. and I were “playmates” day & evening. (NO! Not THOSE kind of Playmates!). Mary and Kevin were part of kicking the can and other games played at dusk. And Bobby… just a little, curly-haired surprise. A happy surprise. Our parents were friends, as well. May T. was a gorgeous woman. Her voice with her British tongue was just delightful to hear. The Tremain family remain in my fondest memories. Mr. Tremain and my Dad were not only neighbors but also colleagues. They each taught in the Eau Claire public school system. Peace and smiles, Mr. T.

  20. Carla Reppert-Lokken Aug 5, 2020 at 1:11 pm

    Thinking of all of you with wonderful and happy memories. Remembering your dad with his twinkling eyes, warm smile and infectious laugh; your mom with her sweet disposition and kindness; vacationing in Hawaii with Mary (what an adventure); traveling to Wyoming with Kevin, a dog, and a goat; Bob as the cute little brother; and Phil and Christine as the older siblings having to put up with us. So many happy times spent with great friends.
    I hope all of your loving memories bring you peace and comfort at this time.

  21. jean behnke wisnewski Aug 8, 2020 at 3:46 pm

    So sorry to hear of your loss. I had Mr Tremain as a typing teacher at Memorial. He was a kind man and a good teacher. Learning typing well has carried over to the electronic world. Thoughts and prayers to family and friends. God Bless
    Stay safe in these trying times.
    Memorial class of 1967.

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