Racine – Philip A. Balwinski, 73, passed away Sunday, December 22, 2013 at the Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center, Milwaukee. Phil was born in Marquette, MI on November 28, 1940 to Florian and Florence (nee, Burch) Balwinski. He married Sandra (Bzdawka) and celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary this past August 31. Phil served in the U.S. Air Force. For over 30 years he was a History and Geography teacher at South Division High School in Milwaukee, retiring in 1996. Throughout his teaching career he was active with the debate team, forensics and several fraternities. Throughout his retirement Phil was an active member with the Amvets Post 120 in Racine, having served previously as Post Commander in the 1970s and early 80s. He later became the Executive Director for the State of Wisconsin Amvets, serving until 2004. Phil is survived by his wife, Sandra Balwinski; his children, Julie (Gary) Craw of Bradenton, FL and Mark (Barbara) Balwinski of Racine; grandchildren, Ashley, Brandon and Trevor Craw; and his uncle, Joe (Yae) Balwinski of CA. Phil is further survived by other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Jim Balwinski; and his sisters and brothers-in-law, Ruth and Gordon Wall, and Elizabeth and Robert Hart.The Mass of Christian Burial for Phil will be held at St. Louis Catholic Church, 13207 County Road G, Caledonia, on Sunday, December 29, 2013 at 1:30 p.m. Interment will take place at Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery with full military honors on Monday, December 30, 2013 at 9 a.m. Relatives and friends may meet with the family at the church on Sunday morning from 11 a.m. until the time of the Mass at 1:30 p.m. Memorials may be directed to the Paralyzed Veterans of America.