Philip Valaika

Philip George Valaika was born in Chicago, Illinois, on March 21, 1933, the son of Anthony and Helen Valaika. He passed away on May 29, 2012 in Taos, NM. He is preceded in death by his brother, Anthony. He is survived by his wife, Linda, his children Pamela Valaika, Laura Calahan, William Valaika, Joseph Valaika and Amy Brightfield, stepson, Emmet Garrigan and siblings Thomas, George, Jeff, Carrie, Pete and Elizabeth. He also leaves his grandchildren, Jamie Callahan, Sean Callahan, Kate Callahan, Keegan Valaika, Bryn Valaika, Isabel Valaika, Allison Brightfield, Bridget Brightfield and Cheryl Brightfield and numerous nieces and nephews. Phil was raised in Chicago, Illinois and graduated from Chicago Teachers College in 1954. Phil was a school teacher and coach for over 20 years in the Chicago school system. He coached baseball, basketball and soccer at Foreman High School in Chicago and at Addison Trail High School in Addison, Illinois. In 1976, he relocated to southern California and Phil began a new career in the residential real estate business. In 1987 Phil married Linda Garrigan and shortly thereafter, they moved to Taos, NM. Using his real estate experience, Phil and Linda opened Remax of Taos in 1993. Phil and Linda have lived in Taos for over 20 years and have built a business and many friends in the Taos community. Funeral mass was held on June 9, 2012 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Taos, NM.