It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Philip Joseph Baroni, 83, of Dennis, MA. Philip passed away peacefully on June 16, 2022 surrounded by his loving family.

Philip exuded enthusiasm and a love of life. He adored his wife, Rachel, whom he called “Bride,” and was incredibly proud of his six children and 16 grandchildren. He inspired others in his generosity of spirit and giving nature. He showed his undying love for family through his enormous heart and ways of bringing everyone together. Phil was a man of abundance: abundant love, abundant energy, abundant family gatherings.

Philip was born in Brockton, MA, on May 31, 1939 and grew up in Bridgewater, MA. He was hard working, strong minded, and an entrepreneur through and through. He enthusiastically recounted his adventures as a nine-year-old, filling his red wagon full of Coca Cola, pulling it to local baseball games, and selling for a profit. And that was just the beginning. Before he could drive, he started scrap metal and trucking businesses. Business was a lifelong passion.

Phil was a proud member of the Boy Scouts, participating in nationwide jamborees, and eventually completed his Eagle Scout project. After graduating from Thayer Academy, he studied at Bentley University. At nineteen years old, he opened The Lobster Dory restaurant on Cape Cod and soon after Holiday Hill drive-in ice cream and burger bar and miniature golf course.

While operating his restaurants on the Cape, Phil met the love of his life, Rachel. Rachel was so special Phil broke his own rule of no dating employees. Phil and Rachel were married on October 10, 1964 and were blessed with six wonderful children.

In addition to the restaurants, Phil founded Baroni Motor Transportation, Drive-O-Rama, and Mill Stores. At the height of his career, he operated fourteen stores across five states. Notably, it wasn’t just about business. Phil cared about his employees and their families.

Full of energy, Phil did not limit himself to work and family. Until his passing, he was an active member of the Harwich-Dennis Rotary Club and the Boy Scouts, just two of the many clubs, organizations and committees he gladly served. He gave his time and donated generously to Saint Pius X church, the Cape Playhouse, and Tony Kent ice arena. As a devout Catholic, one of his most heartfelt accomplishments was being an organizational and fundraising force enabling the founding of the Saint Pius X School, where some of his grandchildren spent their formative years. Phil rarely missed a mass and once drove through a blizzard, at the age of 80, to attend–one of the only two parishioners present.

Beyond work and community, Phil cherished his dogs, trips to St. Croix, vacationing with his wife, children, and grandchildren, and enjoying the company of his many friends on the island. And the Ice Cream Smuggler. He gave his dogs equal parts love and ice cream. It would be fair to conclude that he saw them as one and the same.

Phil was predeceased by his parents, Hugo and Mary Baroni as well as his brother, John Baroni, and sister Barbara Fritz. He is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Rachel; sister Carol Williams; daughter Ann Fox and husband Jon; daughter Sarah Phaneuf and husband Eric; son Joseph Baroni and wife Sonja; son Anthony Baroni and wife Kim; son Michael Baroni and wife Allyson; daughter Elizabeth Lops and husband Chris; and his beloved grandchildren. He is also survived by a multitude of loving cousins, nieces and nephews.

Visiting hours will be held at St. Pius X Church in South Yarmouth, MA on Wednesday, June 22 from 4pm–7pm. A funeral mass will be celebrated at St. Pius X, 5 Barbara St. S. Yarmouth on Thursday, June 23 at 11am, followed by a burial at Dennis Village Cemetery, Dennis. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Harwich-Dennis Rotary Club an organization that services people in need. Donations may be addressed to Harwich-Dennis Rotary Club PO Box 188, So. Dennis, MA 02660. https://harwichdennisrotary.org

Phil was my cousin Rachel’s husband and was a blessing to her family. His approach to life was positive in all respects and he never met a goal he could not accomplish. He imbued his love of business in his children and his policy of looking out for those in need was passed along as well. He could throw a hell of a party and you never went hungry when Phil was cooking. Because of his membership in Rotary International and his travels for his business he had a great world view and Rachel shared that with Phil and the children. His sense of humor and his generosity and faithfulness to the Church will be sorely missed.

Dear Baroni Family, What a wonderful celebration of Mr. Baroni's (still can't call him Phil) life! It was so great to see everyone after so many years. He had such a tremendous impact on everyone and everything he touched. There were many stories circulating around the Logan family texted about interactions with Mr Baroni over the years. He was so great to Tim and me when we were first starting our summer landscaping business-- throwing us work at Holiday Hill, the house, and at his parent's house. He always made time for us, had high standards and expectations, and provided positive/ constructive feedback. I was lucky to have him in my life at a young age. In a time of great divisiveness and a lack of "greater good" thinking, his example should be a beacon for what is important and necessary in difficult times. I hope you all can find comfort in a life so well lived and pay that forward as he would have wanted us all to do. My great sympathies to all.- Much Love, Sean

Phil was the epitome of the family man, so generous and warm...We, the Ricciardi family, would like to send our deepest condolences to the entire Baroni family especially to Rachel..