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Michael San Phillip
Michael San Phillip
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Michael San Phillip Obituary
On Memorial Day, Michael San Phillip got the news he had waited years to hear. His oldest daughter, married 11 years, was about to make him a grandfather for the first time. The discovery reduced him to tears, no small task for a man who had spent 34 years rising in the rough and tumble world of Wall Street finance. Though he had catapulted himself to vice president at Sandler O'Neill & Partners, an investment house on the 104th floor at 2 World Trade Center, the title he craved was that of grandfather. It was as big a moment as if he had won one of his beloved tennis and paddle matches, the ones he has for decades been so devoted to organizing. Folks in Ridgewood, N.J., had nicknamed him "Captain Paddle."
"He was really looking forward to seeing his first grandchild in December," said Jill Abbott, Mr. San Phillip's daughter. "He had the hope in his heart that it would be a little boy, a little Mikey."
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Tony Pistilli
September 11, 2022
Mike, I still remember you from the Ridgewood Country Club. The fun we all had playing doubles tennis. The laughs. You were always a kind gentleman. Always had a smile on your face, always had something nice to say about someone. You were just a pleasure to be with. 21 years later and I still remember you and miss you. I am sure you have found peace with our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Carrol Kehrley
June 9, 2020
I believe this is the Mike San Phillip I went to St. Anastasia School in Teaneck, NJ. a lifetime ago. such a bright, friendly, and handsome young man whom I had a crush on in 8th grade. Was so sad to read that you were a victim of 9/11. Test in peace.
Chris McK
March 25, 2017
David & Amanda Pougher
November 9, 2014
Mike,
Didn't know you but my wife and I were drawn to your name on the memorial when we visited in October to pay our respects. No reason, probably just the "San" in your name and the flower that day.
Decent people will never forget the innocents of that day.
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Tony Pistilli
September 12, 2014
Mike, what a friend and fun guy you were. I will never forget those good old days at Ridgewood C.C. Those weekend doubles matches where we all played hard and laughed harder. You were a good man and you will always be in our hearts.
ceci Cabrera
November 16, 2013
Happy Birthday, Michael. God bless you in heaven!
donna ferraro
September 11, 2011
you were my cousin.....i have never forgotten.......
September 9, 2011
Uncle Mike
You were an amazing uncle. I loved hearing all of your stories especially your Halloween Party stories. You always had a smile and made everyone feel warm and welcomed.
Your niece
Bridget M Bollinger
Frank San Phillip
September 10, 2010
Mike, you are still in our prayers. Bless you and your family
NicK D'Angelo
March 20, 2009
Mike,you were my all time best cousin. I think back with great fondness on our days as young boys growing up in Bayonne at grandma and grandpa's and playing stickball, and visits to your homes in the Bronx ,Teaneck and of course Lindy Lake. God bless you and your family.
Eileen Judd (Smyth)
December 27, 2007
Upon getting the Christmas card from my RHS friend Carrie, with the photo of her 2 beautiful girls I was reminded of Mr. San Phillip and know he lives on each day in both Carrie and Jill's children. I will always remember Carrie and her dad dancing together at our high school graduation party. Carrie, just know that he dances with you every day. I hope the happiest memories of your dad stay close by you, Jill and your mom this holiday season and that peace will grow in the hearts of those who still live with hatred.
kristine
May 9, 2007
As I cross-stitched your name on the memorial that I am doing for all of the victims, I prayed for you and your family. Please know that your death was not in vain. We will always remember. God Bless.
P Tabbernor
March 1, 2007
In memory....
Ann SanPhillip
July 20, 2006
Michael,
You are always in our hearts and our prayers.
Ann, Tommy & David
Sarah Smith
May 9, 2005
To the Family of Mr. San Phillips:
Hi, I'm Sarah Smith, and 15. My dad, Charles Smith went to Lawrenceville with Michael. I am so sorry for your loss. My dad has said many wonderful things about him. I have some old yearbooks from my dad and his class of '63, if you would like just email me and I'd be more than willing to photocopy or send them to you.
Thank you,
Sarah
Carrie San Phillip
September 13, 2004
You are the sunshine of my life, I miss you and love you always.
Your daughter,
Carrie
Art Caporale
September 12, 2003
Mikey I think of you often and miss you greatly and our discussions of how YOU think things should be. But MOST of all I miss your laugh
Howard Freedlander
May 26, 2003
Liz and I felt so privileged to have been part of the University of Pennsylvania's recognition of "Sal," my lacrosse teammate and friend. We could feel the depth of feeling in Michael's family toward a person filled with warmth and good cheer. Lynne's remarks at the class of 1967's 35th reunion recognition ceremony in May 2002 were wonderfully touching. We wish the San Phillip much happiness as Carrie's wedding approaches in August. Something tells me that Carrie's dad's spirit will permeate the festivities. Godspeed.
Peter Feeney
March 9, 2003
Mike,
I love you.
I miss you.
Peter
Daniel Subin
January 28, 2003
Carrie- my thoughts to you & your family. seems like yesterday sat next to your pop when i started ML just out of college scraping along living in hoboken. such a great guy & was so proud of you. will always remember our laughs. dan
Brian Walsh
December 5, 2002
I just recently had the privilege of meeting the San Phillip family at a scholarship event held at the University of Pennsylvania. The family truly moved me with their personal accounts about Michael and how much he loved the University. My prayers will always be with the San Phillip family. May God and Michael smile down upon you.
Adam Waxman
October 5, 2002
I'm not sure if any of you remember me. I am the NYPD officer who brought you down to ground zero while it was still closed to the public. I just wanted you to know that I think of your family all the time and I hope that you are all doing well. I carry Michael's memorial card in my uniform hat and every time I put on my uniform I see it and think of you and your family. I wish you all the best and if there is ever anything I could do to help, please feel free to contact me. I will never forget.
-Adam
[email protected]
Dan Shea
September 18, 2002
Thinking of you all. Did you get my essay? Would love to hear from you
Tim Shea
September 17, 2002
Dear San Phillip Family,
We wanted to let you know that we are thinking of you and praying for you during these difficult days. We know that Mr. San Phillip is smiling down upon us all along with my mom, Patty Shea. God Bless you and Congratulations on the latest addition to a wonderful family.
Sincerely,
Tim, Lauren & Kaley Ann Shea
Ted Amendola
September 12, 2002
Dear Lynne, Jill and Carrie,
A few weeks after 9/11/01 I heard from a member of Indian Trails that Mike was missing at the WTC site. After trying to identify his name on TV yesterday I decided to look online. As I scrolled down to the S's I cringed at the thought that Mike's name would appear next. How selfish of me!
Bob Bell, Ed Law and myself had a standing tennis game every weekend at Ed's housefor about 10 years. They were games I looked forward to each week. Mike was such a fun loving guy and a joy to be around. Sharing donuts and coffee after our match made the loss to Mike a little more bearable.
People come in and out of our lives and Mike is one that I will never forget. I am a better person for knowing Michael San Phillip.
I have a little grand-daughter myself born about 5 months before that terrible day and I hurt that Mike never got to meet Mikki.
Much love,
Ted
Timothy Sumner
September 12, 2002
Carrie, Jill and Lynne-
Mike was one of our biggest RHS sports fans. He will be missed by all whom came in contact with him. My thoughts and prayers are with you always.
Paul Folkemer
September 11, 2002
Dear Lynne, Jill, and Carrie,
I just read the memory section of the Times this morning and needed to send you a note just to say how saddened I was when I heard the news about Mike. I looked at his picture and remembered some good times on the tennis court but mostly, I remembered the family. My prayers are with all of you as you go through that horrible day a year later.
A Friend
September 10, 2002
Mr. San Phillip --
Please know that many hearts are with you, even the hearts of those you never knew. But I know Jill and Rich and I know of the love they have for you. You, and they, will be in my thoughts tomorrow.
A friend of Jill's in Greenville.
ElizaBeth Cronk
September 9, 2002
I worked with Mike at Merrill Lynch. I was the only woman on the Odd Lot trading desk when Mike took over as manager. Mike was always a gentleman and supportive of my right to succeed as far as the guys. He had such high hopes for his daughters. He was a dear, caring, person. Far different from the majority of guys who work on the street. I no longer work on the Street for those reasons.
I was deeply saddened when a former collegue told me of all the people who were lost as I stood below and watched it all, Mike was one.
I will always remember him bringing Irish soda bread his wife use to make on St. Patricks day. I was honored to know Mike.
Anonymous
April 20, 2002
DEAR GOD SHINE YOUR LIGHT ON THIS BEAUTIFUL MAN...MICHAEL SAN PHILLIP AND MAY HIS SOUL REST IN PEACE WITH GOD AND HIS ANGELS...GOD BLESS HIS LOVING FAMILY...NEW GRANDCHILD AND MANY FRIENDS...STAY CLOSE..PRAY..AND NEVER LET ANYONE FORGET 9/11/01..GOD BLESS AMERICA AND NEW YORK FOREVER..MAY JESUS...ST.MICHAEL AND ST.PHILLIP GREET YOU AT THE GATES OF HEAVEN...AMEN
Christian OBrien
April 18, 2002
Michael was someone who was as genuine and warm as he was competative and driven. I'm grateful to have known him, he was always someone whom I admired because when it came to living, Michael did it well.
Keith Webb
April 12, 2002
Meeting Mike for the for the first time at Merrill, twenty years ago, was a little intimadating. Between trading hours, you did not see Mike smile alot. But over the years I got to know Mike and discovered he was a great person. I will never forget the way he craddled my now five year old son in his arms, when he was a baby. Mike, I am happy I met you. GOD bless you!
Jill Murphy
April 8, 2002
On September 11th our family lost one of its most valuable members, it will never be the same. There will be more good times but there will always be a void with out Michael...who else will be sure Lynne makes enough stuffing..Michael will always be with us in spirit. Gogi
Tom Murphy
April 7, 2002
Uncle Mike,
I look towards the day when you will make us all feel as welcome in heaven as you did on earth.
Your nephew,
Tommy
Colleen and Brian Dudek
April 7, 2002
To know my Uncle was to love my Uncle. We think about you everyday, and will keep those memories and stories strong for our future generations.
Heather, Bill & Mary Howes
March 19, 2002
Dear "Big Mike" - Thank you for making us all laugh through our days at RHS. You had the patience of a saint putting up with our antics, especially as we drove around Ridgewood in "Big Bird"! Lynne, Jill and Carrie, we will always keep you in our prayers! The Howes Family
Justin O'Connor
March 11, 2002
Jill and Carrie I was sorry to hear about your father. I lost my uncle on Flight 93 and can not imagine what you are going through. Our prayers our with you.
Jill San Phillip Abbott
February 25, 2002
I am sitting here with your beautiful granddaughter Michele. She is named after you daddy and we call her Mikki - just like mommy and poppa sal used to call you. We miss you and wish you were here to see her. She gave me one of your "looks" the other day. it is starting already! love jilly and mikki
Kelly Molloy
January 27, 2002
I haven't seen Uncle Sal in years... After we moved to California our visits were fewer and further between because of the distance. I have so many fun and wonderful memories of our families spending times together and growing up with Carrie and Jill and what great friends our dad's were all the way back from the old fraternity days at Penn... I was fortunate to talk to he and Aunt Lynne this summer when I was visiting on the East Coast. He was just as cheerful and funny as I always knew him, and that's how I'll always remember him. My love goes out to Lynne, Jill, and Carrie... Love, Kelly
Jim Maroney
January 16, 2002
Mike, I love you. Thanks for the many laughs we shared together over the 15 years I was fortunate enough to have been your friend. Did I amuse you? Bones
Jennifer Kerrigone
January 15, 2002
I'm so sorry to learn of your loss of Michael. I remember his name often mentioned fondly by my Uncle and Dad when I was growing up as we are all from Ridgewood and they from Wall Street, at an earlier time. You are in my thoughts. God Bless.
Cindy SanPhillip
December 31, 2001
You will forever be in our thoughts & prayers!
carolyn san phillip
December 28, 2001
We are all so very sad without you. I take comfort in the knowledge that you are in paradise with Mommy and Daddy at 554.
Carrie San Phillip
December 28, 2001
Daddy was my hero, my friend, my pal, my mentor, my Dad, all rolled up into one person. It doesn't get any better than that. Miss you more then ever.
Teresa Jahn
December 13, 2001
We are so very sorry for your loss of Michael. May his good nature live on in his new grandchild. Our hearts cry with you.
America Cries
We see your sorrow-
and our hearts cry....
We can not erase your pain
but you do not have to face the anguish alone-for we-
-the American people-
are beside you.
We so desperately want to have the touch that brings you comfort,
the strength that gives you courage,
and the words to lighten your spirits.
And when we are left speechless
may the silence of our nation weave love into your hearts
to ease your sorrow.
May you find healing through our nation's strength as we-
-the American people-
face this difficult time together. Our hearts are with you. Teresa Jahn
Dixon, IL
Richard Talerico
November 29, 2001
I knew Michael from working in one of Merrill Lynch's trading areas in the early 1980's. Mike was in charge of a group as well as working on the American Stock Exchange Floor trading. He had a ready laugh and was a good guy. My group left One Liberty soon after for other space on Church Street. Very sorry to see his name on the WTC list.
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