Phillip Nevin Sawyer, 68, passed away peacefully on the evening of Monday, October 5th, 2026, following a courageous battle of early-onset Alzheimer's disease. He was surrounded by the comforting presence and enduring love of his partner Cecelia.

Born in DuBois, PA, on March 31, 1958, Phillip was the son of James Phillip Sawyer and Virginia Mae Kroen Sawyer. He was preceded in death by his parents and his daughter, Elizabeth Nicole Sawyer Greene.

Mr. Sawyer graduated from Neshannock High School and later moved to Sacramento, California, where he worked for the ceramics company Gladding McBean LLC. He returned to New Castle, PA, in 1996 and continued his career in ceramics, working for 27 years as a ceramic machinist with McDanel Advanced Materials in Beaver Falls, PA.

He was a member of Northminster Presbyterian Church, where he served as an elder. Phillip was an avid golfer who enjoyed watching sports and traveling with his family.

Mr. Sawyer is survived by his loving partner, Cecelia Grimes Ryan; two stepdaughters, Miranda Degarmo of Pittsburgh, PA, and Kayla (Christopher) Douglas of New Castle, PA; three grandsons; his brother, J. Thomas Sawyer (Tish) of Spokane, WA; two sisters, Cynthia A. (Bob) Wheeling of Lancaster, PA, and Deborah S. (Jeff) Roud of Charlotte, NC; and seven nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held privately. Online condolences may be shared and viewed at www.cunninghamfh.com. Memorial contributions may be made in Phillip N. Sawyer’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association, 2835 E. Carson St., Suite 200, Pittsburgh, PA 15203.