Phil Carollo, president of Lion Circle Corp. (asi/67620), died on September 8. He was 77.

Born in Chicago, Carollo served in the U.S. Army before beginning his career in the promotional products industry in 1963 with Lion Match Corporation of America. He worked his way through the company ranks, from shipping clerk, to sales representative, to sales manager, to COO, to vice president. Carollo bought the company in 1975 when the owner retired.

In 2014, under Carollo’s leadership, Lion Circle was named Counselor’s Supplier Family Business of the Year. “The best part of the business is having all my children working with me,” Carollo said at the time of the win. “I’ve watched them all grow in different directions, but each of them has something to contribute to the business that’s been such a significant part of my life.”

Carollo is survived by Therese, his wife of 52 years; children Jay, Jack, Jo-Ann and Rich and their spouses; and seven grandchildren. His children will continue to operate Lion Circle, and son Rich will assume the role of president.

The family will hold visitation hours on Tuesday, September 12, from 3 to 9 p.m. at Lawn Funeral Home, 7909 State Rd., Burbank, IL. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, September 13, at 10:00 a.m. at Lawn Funeral Home, followed by Mass at 11:00 a.m. at Incarnation Church in Palos Heights, and interment at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. Please call (708) 636-2320 for more information.