Its owner, Phil Pearce, died Wednesday at his home in Marquette.

The general store, located along Marquette County Road 550 in Marquette Township, was a popular local fixture, not necessarily for what was sold there but for the sign with funny quotes outside the business — and the man behind the operation.

According to the crowd-funding site YouCaring, Pearce, 64, had been diagnosed with brain cancer.

A post dated today read: “Phil passed away yesterday — peacefully, at home. Many, many thanks for the outpouring of care and support shown in so many ways throughout the past year.”

A photo of Phil Pearce, who died Wednesday after battling brain cancer. (Journal file photos)

His reign as the proprietor of Phil’s 550 Store made him a well-known figure locally and around the globe, read his obituary from the Swanson-Lundquist Funeral Home.

“He was a very giving person — always ready to provide assistance to anyone in need,” it read. “Much of Phil’s charm stemmed from his honest outlook on life and his unique candor. Phil was naturally kind without ulterior motives.”

Even if people didn’t stop in the store, they probably got a chuckle or two from what was put on the “Philville” sign throughout the years.

That sign carried quips like “Ever imagine a world without hypotheticals,” “Never do anything you dont (sic) want to explain to paramedics” and “There once was a man from here famous for T-shirts & beer.”

Pearce was the subject of a lengthy Detroit Free Press article published in February.

“He could be welding something, someplace, since he’s a lifelong welder,” wrote John Carlisle. “He could be notarizing documents for someone, since he’s a notary public. He could be performing a wedding, since he’s an ordained minister. He could be draining the chemicals from a junked refrigerator, another side job. He could be plowing snow, because he does that, too.

“Like a lot of Yoopers, he works several jobs to get by. But Phil’s main job is simply being Phil.”

A story on the website Only In Your State called his store “The Quirky Store In Michigan’s Upper Peninsula That You Simply Must Visit.”

Decades ago, the story said, Pearce’s face was printed on a T-shirt. The shirt’s popularity spread among Northern Michigan University students and eventually Phil fans across the world.

There were plenty of photos accompanying the article of Pearce, his employees and the unique store.

“The store’s rustic yet welcoming style makes visitors feel as though they’ve stepped back in time, and there’s something truly timeless about Phil’s 550,” the story read.

Pearce, who was born in Marquette on Sept. 28, 1953, is survived by his wife, Deborah Jones Pearce; a brother, Mason; two nieces, Leslie Cory-Milligan and Cynthia Cory; a nephew, Mason Pearce Jr.; and many cousins.

A private celebration of Pearce’s life will take place this summer along Lake Superior.

Condolences may be expressed online at swansonlundquistfuneralhome.com.

Christie Bleck can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 250. Her email address is cbleck@miningjournal.net.