Philip Chester Scibilia, 85, passed away on Apr. 24, 2026, at Peyton Hospice House in Fairlea, WV. Born on Oct. 17, 1940, in Newark, NJ.
Dr. Scibilia spent over 35 years as a leader in the healthcare industry. He served as President and CEO of Macmillan Publishing’s Healthcare Group, President of Simon & Schuster/Appleton & Lange, and held international responsibilities for Reed/Elsevier. As Chairman of the Hospital Satellite Network, he worked with the Annenberg Center for Health Sciences to produce impactful broadcasts on public health, including “Substance Abuse in the Workplace” and “Transplants: Who Lives, Who Dies?”. His work also took him to the USSR during perestroika, where he negotiated the first Soviet/USSR conference on genome mapping. Following his corporate career, Phil earned his Doctorate from Drew University and taught at Drew’s Casperson School of Graduate Studies from 2004-2016 and Fordham University’s Institute of International Humanitarian Affairs.
Growing up in New Jersey, Phil along with sister Delores, brothers Joe & Dom, and parents Joe and Josephine spent many sundrenched summers ‘down the shore’. During that time he developed a love for the ocean while becoming a strong swimmer. The U.S. Coast Guard was an easy decision to serve his country for eight years.
Central to Phil’s happiness was family, always a loving husband and father. He was in his element hosting large family gatherings around an abundance of food, conversation and laughter. Traditional seven fish Christmas Eve Feasts were a favorite. Capping off the dinner was the annual humorous award presentation to his mother Josephine.
In search of the family’s Italian heritage, he planned and hosted trips to Italy and Sicily. Many family members and friends were invited on these journeys of discovery. A highlight of these trips was a pilgrimage to his father’s Calabrian birthplace. Once we entered his home, we were surprised to see an eighty-year-old yellowed photo hanging on the wall. In that photo, front and center, was Phil as a young boy frozen in time.
A lifetime learner, from his years at Seton Hall Prep to Rutgers, Rochester Institute of Technology, Fairleigh Dickinson University, to his terminal degree at Drew University. Every endeavor was given full measure including, as he fondly called his ‘retirement job: heading up the Medical Humanities Department at Drew University was the cherry on top. He was voted best professor of the graduate school. His was a life well lived.
Phil is survived by his wife of 49 years, Donna Leigh Mills Scibilia, sons, Andrew and Douglas, daughters, Mary-Pat and Josette.
It was Phil’s wish to be cremated, the family will hold a celebration of life later. Online guestbook can be signed at www.morganfh.net. Arrangements entrusted to Morgan Funeral Home, Lewisburg, WV.
