by GLENVIEW, Ill. — Philip Michael Gutsell, a long-time consultant in the furniture business, died July 6 surrounded by family members. He was 74.
He attended DePaul Academy and graduated from DePaul University, where he majored in English. After graduating, he went to work in the family business, Gutsell & Associates, continuing a legacy started by his father. He started with the firm in 1973 and became owner in 1981, but continued his work for many years as a management consultant and sales trainer.
His obituary described him as “a well-known consultant in the furniture industry — some say a legend. Throughout his career, he built close relationships with many clients who looked forward to his visits and called him a friend.”
He and his wife, Yvonne, married in 1979. They were married for 44 years.
“Phil loved to travel with his family and friends and was always planning the next big trip — more recently including his daughter-in-law, son-in-law and grandson,” his obituary read. “As a creature of habit, he also enjoyed taking his loved ones out to dinner at Elliot’s or Geja’s, where he shared some of his best stories and advice over steak or fondue and a bottle of wine.
“Phil is loved and cherished by all who knew him. He was kind, generous, caring, loving and the life of every party. He captivated people with his laughter and detailed, although sometimes tangential, storytelling. The silence in his absence is deafening. His memory will live on in each of us who knew him and loved him.”
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Wounded Warrior Project. A link to his full obituary with a listing of surviving family members can be found here.
