Justin A. "Phil" Gangl

Justin Anthony Gangl "Phil" August 21, 1978 — July 4, 2025

Justin Anthony Gangl, affectionately known as “Phil” by those who knew and loved him, passed away on July 4, 2025, at Fairview Range Medical Center in Hibbing, MN. The middle son of three boys, Justin was born in Hibbing on August 21, 1978, to Guy and Lynne Gangl. He also had a half-sister, Jill, and was a lifelong resident of Nashwauk.

Justin earned the nickname “Phil” after a conversation among friends in which he wondered what it would be like if everyone in the world were named Phil.

Extremely intelligent and inquisitive, Justin had a wide range of hobbies and interests. Whether it was tinkering with and taking things apart just to see how they worked, hanging out with friends, playing cards, skateboarding, playing guitar, hunting, making art, folding origami, solving Rubik’s cubes, drone flying, 3D printing, telling jokes, or just kicking around a hacky sack—Justin found joy in it all.

Above all, Justin was a dad. And the one thing he wanted more than anything—in this life and the next—was for his children—Gavin, Josie, Jaxon, Jazmine, and bonus son Jayden—to know that, no matter what, he was proud of them and loved them with every molecule of his being.

Justin is survived by his children; his mother, Lynne; siblings Jake, Joel, and Jill; maternal grandparents Bill and Ann Cochran; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews; as well as his children’s moms—Amber, Tina, and Sarah.

He was preceded in death by his father, Guy; paternal grandparents Shirlee and Gerald “Tootsie” Gangl; uncle and aunt Jer and Carolyn Gangl; maternal grandmother Juanita Kannas; great-grandparents Andrew and Gertrude Gangl, and Helmer and Tina Ojala; and his favorite uncle, Cheezy—whose name, fittingly, was Phil.

A casual memorial and celebration of life will be held from 3:00 to 5:00 PM on Friday, August 8, 2025, at Dougherty Funeral Home in Hibbing. Arrangements are with the Dougherty Funeral Home of Hibbing.

To leave an online message of condolence, please visit us at; www.doughertyofhibbing.com.