Obituaries

Chicago, IL (May 27, 2016) – Rev. Philip John Dressler passed away on Thursday, May 26, 2016, at St. Juliana Parish Rectory in Chicago, where he was a resident. Fr. Dressler was the Pastor Emeritus of St. Juliana Parish. He was 80 years old.  

Fr. Dressler was born in Chicago on November 7, 1935. He attended St. Andrew School in Chicago, Quigley Preparatory Seminary and graduated from the University of St. Mary of the Lake / Mundelein Seminary.  Fr. Dressler was ordained into the priesthood on May 1, 1961, by Albert Cardinal Meyer, Archbishop of Chicago.

“Fr. Phil,” as he was commonly called, served in the Archdiocese in a number of different roles. He served as Assistant Pastor at St. Ita Parish in Chicago (1961-65) and St. Anne Parish in Barrington (1965-72). In 1979, Fr. Dressler was named Pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish and served in that capacity until 1985. That same year, he was named Pastor of Queen of Angels Parish on Western Avenue and remained there for ten years. Fr. Dressler moved to St. Juliana Parish when he became Pastor in 1995 and served in that capacity until his retirement in 2005, when he was named Pastor Emeritus.

Fr. Dressler was also Administrator of St. Anne Parish in Barrington (1971); Our Lady Help of Christians Parish in Chicago (1974); St. Juliana Parish in Chicago (2005); Queen of the Rosary Parish in Elk Grove Village (2007); and St. Mary of Perpetual Help Parish on 32nd Street (2008).

Rev. Stephen Kanonik, Moderator of the Curia at the Archdiocese of Chicago, was the former Pastor of St. Juliana Parish. He reflected, “Phil was a man with a big heart who could be extremely generous.  He loved Christmas and became like a child around Christmastime.  And he was often very caring for people who were hurting especially those struggling with issues of faith.  But he also had some very strong opinions about what it means to be Church and what it means to be a priest, and he was never shy about sharing his opinions.”

Rev. Thomas J. Purtell, Retired Archdiocesan Priest, was classmates with Fr. Dressler. The two were ordained together. He recalled, “Fr. Dressler was a great parish priest; he loved God, he loved people and he loved the Church.” He added, “He was a good golfer.”

Rev. Roger Caplis, Retired Archdiocesan Priest, knew Fr. Dressler for over 18 years. He said, “Phil always said the best thing he ever did was bring the Christ Renews His Parish Program to St Juliana Parish. He was very proud of that.” He continued, “People always said he gave really great homilies; no matter how bad his physical situation was, his mind was always sharp and he always celebrated a fine Mass.” When it comes to golf, Fr. Caplis recalled, “I saw him hit one of the longest drives I’ve ever seen a golfer hit, amateur or pro.”

Fr. Dressler will lie in state on Thursday, June 2, from 3 to 9 p.m., at St. Juliana Parish, 7200 North Osceola Avenue in Chicago. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, June 3, at 10 a.m., at St. Juliana Parish. Most Rev. Francis J. Kane, Auxiliary Bishop of Chicago, will be the main celebrant and Fr. Roger Caplis will be the homilist. 

Interment will take place at Maryhill Cemetery in Niles.

Fr. Dressler is survived by a brother, Joseph Dressler.