PHILIP ISABEL SALDANA

A cherished member of the community, Philip I. Saldana, peacefully passed away with his family by his side in Loma Linda, California on June 14, 2024. He was 75 years old. Phil was born in Redlands, California on November 19, 1948, to Tiofilo and Georgia Saldana and was a life-long resident of his hometown. 

Phil was a friend to all and was an outgoing man who loved to help and be wherever his family and friends were congregating. He was a Redlands local who knew someone behind every door he walked through.

Phil graduated from Redlands High School in 1967 and attended San Bernardino Valley College.

In 1970, he married Kathy Hernandez, and they had two children, Eric and Lynn. He was a caring and supportive father who was always active in his kids’ lives.

In the 1970’s and 80’s, Phil made a career as an insurance agent working for Prudential, Barich and Associates, and eventually opening his own agency in Redlands. In the early 90s, he changed his career path and worked as a building inspector/code enforcement for the City of Fontana. He spent 20 years there helping to clear abandoned homes and blight, and inspecting new buildings during the city’s years of expansion. In addition to inspections duties, he became a local authority for the best breakfast and lunch places in the city.

Phil had always been an athlete, he played baseball as a kid and in High School he earned varsity letters in Cross Country, Track and Westling. He coached multiple youth baseball teams at Redlands Baseball for Youth. As an adult, he spent many weekends playing softball in Redlands, Highland and San Bernardino. Phil always cherished hanging out and playing softball with his childhood friends. He also loved to golf and could always be found golfing in local charity tournament. In more recent years, he loved to be in the stands of his grandchildren’s events and games whether it was dancing, soccer, cheerleading, football or track, Grandpa Phil was sure to be there. 

Throughout his life, Phil was a camper and a fisherman. He loved taking his camper to the river, throughout Southern California and into Mexico. He loved his annual fishing trip to Lake Crowley and the many deep sea fishing trips with his lifelong friends and cousins.

A staple at Post 650 American Legion, Phil was the Chaplain for the Sons of American Legion and member of the Mentone Moose Lodge #1335. He participated in many charity organizations such as the Northside Boosters, being a hospice volunteer and was a committee member for the annual dinner hosted by The Redlands Veterans Group. 

 Phil is survived by his brother, Robert (Lucy) Saldana of Redlands, Sister, Trinidad (Robert) Saldana-Platt, a son, Eric Saldana (Irene) of Highland, and his daughter, Lynn Calderon (Leon) of Redlands. His most cherished survivors are his grandchildren, Kylee, Jamie and Mateo Saldana of Highland, and his baby, Nikki Calderon of Redlands.

Services will be Friday, July 12, 2024 at Emmerson-Bartlett Chapel in Redlands, CA. Rosary and visitation will start at 9:00 a.m. and will be followed by a memorial service at 11:30 a.m. Following the memorial, graveside services will be at Hillside Memorial Park. A reception will follow at Post #650 American Legion in Redlands, California.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Harry Munoz Memorial Scholarship, C/O Liz Avila, 30541 Laramie Ave, Redlands, CA 92374