Felix D. Fukes (Phil), of Hobe Sound, Florida passed away peacefully on October 6, 2020 at the age of 90. He was surrounded by his family and loved ones at his home.

Felix is preceded in death by his parents Herman Fuks and Bernice Gawron, brothers Alexander, Julius, Paul, Herman and Michael, and sisters Florence Takacs, and Sylvestra Gorski.

Felix is survived by his beloved wife of 65 years, Gladys Rose, daughter Linda Marie, granddaughter Rozlyn Tiara, and his nieces and nephews Gwendolyn, Lenora, Julius and William. Sister-in-law Marlene Fuks. His youngest sister Eleanor Fuks is his last surviving sibling.

Felix was born in Newport, New York on June 3, 1930 to father Herman Fuks and mother Bronislawa (Bernice) Gawron. He was one of nine children. On October 29,1955, he married the love of his life, Gladys R. Gadziala and they started a family in Saddlebrook, New Jersey. In August of 1963, his family moved to Hollywood Hills, Florida to escape the harsh and snowy winters and later relocated to Hobe Sound, Florida in February 1997. He was an active parishioner at Nativity Catholic Church.

Felix enlisted in the United States Armed Forces in 1949 at the age of 19. He was a proud Korean War Army Veteran, serving in both Germany and Japan, Infantry Division, as a front-line soldier operating a mortar. He was awarded many decorations, medals and badges. He took the most pride in his Combat Infantry Badge. After his honorable discharge in 1952 he was employed at Ford Motor Company in Mahwah, New Jersey working on the automotive assembly line. He also worked part-time jobs at Highway Cinderblock and his brothers’ construction company in New Jersey. He worked at Ford Motor Company until he became ill from Polio in August of 1961 resulting in permanent paraplegia. In 1963, he was recognized for his participation in the Sabin vaccine program to schools throughout Bergen County, His inspiration resulted in over ninety percent of the school aged children taking the oral vaccine, minimizing the epidemic of paralytic polio in Bergen County, New Jersey.  Felix was always into health and fitness and converted his cellar into a free weight gym. He continued his fitness journey to rebuild upper body and core stability even after becoming a paraplegic.

My father leaves behind a legacy of lessons based on tradition and solid foundations of honesty and hard work. He has confronted the challenges of living with PTSD as a Korean War Veteran. He always maintained a positive attitude and constant perseverance. Every obstacle he encountered due to his paraplegia was viewed to him as an opportunity in which he could use his creativity, critical thinking, and manual skills. He could frequently be found in his garage, designing and inventing equipment and gadgets, making the impossible, possible. Throughout his life, he has proven to his family that anything is possible. His actions reflected the ideals of “family first” and putting the needs of others before his own. My father has raised the bar above all others in setting the standards of what I expect in a man. He instilled in me the ability to be sensitive and compassionate towards others. He left his family and his loved ones with his strength, tenacious will, determination to succeed and most importantly, the belief to live life to its fullest and be joyful. The most treasured gift he left on earth was his LOVE. Phil was a dedicated, husband, father and grandfather.

On October 6, 2020, I saw life make a full circle. My father held me in his arms the moment I entered this world and I held him in mine when he left this world. I will forever love you daddy, and I look forward to when we meet again in heaven. Hugs and Kisses.

Felix will be honored with the Tributes of a Lifetime, Military Honor Guard and a release of doves. Funeral Mass will take place at Nativity Catholic Church. Services will be private at the request of family.

Felix will be entombed inside the chapel of Hollywood Memorial Gardens with services provided by Boyd-Panceria Family Funeral Care, Hollywood Chapel .