Front Royal’s oldest employee retiring after 34 years

At 96 Philip Funk decides the time is right to take it easy for awhile

Philip Funk, 96, the Town of Front Royal’s oldest employee, is retiring.

The “old timer” who is a familiar face at the Refuse and Recycle Center – the town dump at the end of Manassas Avenue – handed in his notice Nov. 21; his last day on the job will be Friday, Dec 2.

After 34 years on the job, this week 96-year-old Philip Funk will be checking in his last visitors to the Town’s Manassas Avenue dump.

Funk, a U.S. Army veteran from World War II, missed the anniversary of Pearl Harbor Day (Dec. 7) by just a couple or so days! He lives in Reliance, VA.

Born in Winchester, one of eight children, he served his country during the war in New Guinea and the Philippines. Ending his enlistment, he went to work for the Stephens City quarry, a job that lasted 36 years. He got his first Town job in the 1980s and just five years ago was formally recognized for his 26 years of service to the Town.

Before the war, and during the “hungry thirties,” Funk worked in the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camps that the government used to provide jobs, thereby boosting a shattered economy.

After receiving a certificate of commendation from the Town in 2011, he said he would “work as long as I can do my job and as long as they want to keep me.”

“Now is that time,” Juanita Tewalt said of her father’s decision.