Former Senator Philip O. Mastin, Jr Passes Away
May 27, 1930 – November 28, 2012
(Memorial Networks/Cremation Society of the Carolinas, Dec. 2, 2012)
Beloved husband of Donna for 64 years, father of Dawn Rene (Thomas) Bobby, Cheryl Wynn (Phil J.) Brown, and Philip O. Mastin III (Alice). Proud grandfather to 9 beautiful and talented grandchildren and 27 equally wonderful great-grandchildren.
Following 15 years as an Automotive Designer (Efficient Engineering Co., Ford Truck Engineering, Chevrolet Engineering Center), Phil began a new career in Government and Public Service.
Over a period of 25 years, Phil served in a number of elected and appointed positions in Hazel Park, Oakland County and Michigan State governments, and in the Michigan Democratic Party including service as a Hazel Park City Councilman (1963-1968), Oakland County Supervisor (1965-1968), Oakland County Commissioner (1968-1970), Deputy Chairman and Treasurer of the Oakland County Democratic Party, Michigan State Representative (D) 69th District (1970-1976), Pontiac City Manager (1977-1979), Director of the Downtown Development Authority in Pontiac (1979-1982), and Michigan State Senator (D) (1982-1983) 8th District.
Following his service in the Michigan Senate, Phil became a consultant to the National Alliance of Business helping to design and obtain funding for industrial training programs for Michigan workers.
In 1984 Senator Mastin became the manager of Government Relations for the non-profit UAW-GM Human Resource Center located in Auburn Hills, Michigan. In that position, Mastin helped to forge many creative UAW-GM partnerships with both state and federal agencies of Labor and Education. He was able to obtain substantial government agency support for joint UAW and GM labor-management programs designed to provide training for active UAW- GM workers, as well as training and employment opportunities for the many thousands of workers dislocated as a result of numerous GM plant closings in Michigan and nationally.
From 1983 – 1990, as an appointee of Governor James Blanchard, Senator Mastin served as a founding member of the Michigan Job Training Coordinating Council, the body responsible for establishing Michigan’s job training policies and priorities. Also in 1983, he was elected as a founding Trustee of the Michigan Quality of Work Life Council.
Phil was invited to join the New Detroit Corporation’s year-long “Strategic Planning Project” in 1987 and served as a member of that body’s task force on Jobs and Economic Development.
A two-term President of the Mental Health Association in Michigan (1987 – 1988), Phil had been a member of the state association’s Board of Director’s from 1977 and was elected an “Honorary Board Member” in 2000. He also served on the National Mental Health Association’s Executive Committee and Board of Directors from 1989 – 1995. In 1996 Phil was elected to the Board of the United Way of Michigan, serving on the Executive Committee and as Chairman of the state agency’s Public Policy Committee.
Following his retirement in 1994, Phil and Donna moved to Fenton, Michigan, and are members of Fenton’s United Methodist Church. Phil served as President of his church golf league and served for ten years as a member of his condominium association’s advisory committee.
A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday December 15, 2012 at the First United Methodist Church, 119 S. Leroy Street, Fenton, Michigan 48430. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Mental Health Association in Michigan.