Philip John Tarli
February 17, 1923 - September 9, 2013
Obituary
Philip John Tarli, aka Bo the clown, passed away peacefully September 9, 2013 in Covington Washington at the age of 90 years. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 64 years, Maxine Mable Tarli. Also preceding him was his grandson Philip John (PJ).
Phiilip is survived by his four children, Thomas (Rebecca), Theresa, Philip (Sandy), and Dennis (Kathy). Philip had ten grandchildren: Ken, Melanie, Delynn, Katie, Kaylyn, Michael, Melissa, Amber, Tricia, and Andrew;and three great-grandchildren: Deshar, Calvin, and Issiah.
Philip was born February 17, 1923 in Aliquippa Pennsylvania to Thomas and Theresa (Ross) Tarli. He had eight siblings: Mary, Rose, Jennie, Ann, Loretta, Babe (deceased), Thomas Jr., and Susie. He grew up in the Pittsburg, PA area and moved to Seattle in 1945.
Phil’s greatest love was his wife Maxine. Phil and Maxine met in 1946 at a dance hall in Seattle. He thouroughly enjoyed being with his family and cooking for them. Famous dishes that will not be forgotten were his spaghetti and polenta. Fried rice could not go unmentioned as many have tried to replicate it without success.
Phil/Bo, had many talents, he loved to share with others. He made young and old alike laugh and smile. whether he was Phil or Bo. When not with his family or working, he was Bo the clown. He spent countless hours over a span of more than 30 years volunteering at events including the Special Olympics, parades around the Seattle area, at Easter Egg Hunts and private parties. He entertained kids at Children’s Hospital in Seattle and played Santa for many years. He was a member of the Boeing Clown Association and the National Clown Association. Phil retired from Boeing as a maintenance mechanic after 30 years.
Phil was an excellent dancer, learning in his early years and participating in dance competitions. Having great rhythm he played drums and was in a band. He enjoyed drawing and sketching figures including his own Bo persona. Other favorites were Disney characters and dogs. His paintings were mostly of landscape scenery.
Above all else family was his greatest joy. He gave his heart, and his legacy will live forever in all those who were fortunate enough to know him.
Phil Sr will be so missed by the Nobis’ family. May his memory be kept alive thru family and friends. He was a real joker, liked to tease the ladies and loved kids. May his family find comfort thru the memories that will be sure to be a smile on their faces. RIP……..
Phil will always be with us, in our thoughts
and prayers. Love Vic and Jen.
Some of my fondest childhood memories are with Uncel Phil and Auntie Maxine and staying at the Tarli house during the summer with my Tarli cousins. Uncle Phil always made me laugh and each year I looked forward to new stories to tell everyone back in California about my zany Uncle “I got my rights!” Phil. He will be forever missed…
We will truly miss Uncle Phil. His love and laughter were contagious. He was such a kidder, and always so much fun to be around. God bless the family and our prayers go out to you.
What can I say. To know him was to love him. I have never meet anyone with a kinder heart. He brought so much fun and love to our family. My fondest memory was our yearly Rogers picnics.(over 50 years of them) He had to always carry the cake. He would trip and fall roll and get up with the cake un harmed. My husband Ron teamed up with him (Clowns) and did a lot of parties and hospital visits.
He will be missed.
Your niece Pat
Uncle Phil…words cannot express how special you are in my heart. You were always such a sweet and caring man. I have greatly missed you over the years. I still look at the pictures of me as a child and you carrying me everywhere. ..I love you Uncle Phil
I have felt truly blessed to have spent the time I have had with grandpa. He was the most kind hearted and loving person. The sadness I feel for the loss of him in my life is replaced with the joy of knowing he is at peace beside grandma. He will always be in my heart.
Uncle Phil was always the favorite…bring laughter and love. I remember how my dad, Art Rogers would always tease him with a can of spaghetti or say he forgot it….I remember staying at the Tarli family’s house and always had fun. Phil loved his wife so much and he had a hard time watching her health fail but was always there with her and loving her.
My husband use to do work for Phil and one time he almost had someone at Home Depot believe him that there was a sign that said they take food stamps.
One of the great ones. A father, grandfather and uncle to all . will never be forgotten.
Uncle Phil had his birthday one day after my birthday, and when I was little he and Auntie Mackie would come over to have a party together. He always joked about wanting a banana cream pie. I love having them there. We had many family gathering through the years and he always made them fun. He was always joking and having fun with all of us. I will miss him greatly.
I will miss my friend Bo so much. He taught me how to make cookies the “Magic” way! I’ll never forget the look on the Teachers face at the elementary school when he lite the match……….Priceless. My prayers are with the Family and the extended Klown Family as well.
God Bless
Bo was my klown mentor and bestest klown friend. The few years I was able to klown around with him were the best. I know he is in a better place and probably doing his best Bo schtick of asking the angels for a dollar so this poor klown can buy a cup of coffee!!!! My prayers to his family. I miss him and all the joy and laughter he brought to those around him.
Uncle Phil was so far away but always close to our hearts.
You are greatly loved and will be greatly missed. Thoughts and prayers go out to you Uncle Phil and your family.
It is with deepest sympathy and Love that comes to all my family. Uncle Phil was a wonderful and thoughtful person and will be greatly missed. Only know that with all the miles that came between us, we often thought of you all and always will. Sending Love and Hugs Always!!
My thoughts & prayers go out to Uncle Phil and family. He will be missed but never forgotten.
Phil did more than just clown around. He lit smiles, he gave of himself, he loved wholeheartedly, and brought joy and happiness to those around him. May his light shine forever. God bless Phil, RIP.
To my family. It’s hard to find words to say when the world has lost a Man who was bigger than life. From early childhood I can remember Uncle Phil coming home from Davey Chevrolet and sitting on the floor with us kids to watch “Audie Murphy” movies with us, while glueing together his log cabin made from toothpicks. He was a master in every art medium there is. Most of all a master of laughter every where he went. While visiting with him a few weeks ago I looked up at the televison screen in his room…..would you beleive that there was and Audie Murphy fil playing. I couldn’t beleive my eyes. I last sat with him, held his hand and paryed over him just 2 hours bebore he passed into Heavens Gate’s. I will miss him dearly.I will never forget him or his beautiful wife “Aunt Maxine”.