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Phil LANGAN Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Phil LANGAN
Sponsored by "Two Toes".
Paul Burton
May 5, 2022
Fond memories of working with Phil when I was in the Hartford media covering the Whalers. We had in common our Boston accents and our love for Boston College sports. He was a comsummate PR professional and a wonderful human being.
Bob Muldoon
February 12, 2021
I, too, knew Phil during the Hartford Whaler Years. And my life, too, like many others (please read below) was changed by Phil Langan. I stumbled into a job driving a car on the ice at Whaler’s games. I wrote a story on it that was published in The Hartford Courant Sunday Magazine. It was my first published piece. I was thrilled. I was 25. Phil liked the story and asked me to write for GOAL Magazine (game program sold at Whalers games). Phil started me off slow. I did stories on the security guards, ice crew, team photographer, team doctor, assistant general manager, sky boxes. Finally, mercifully Phil let me do a player. It was Sylvain Cote. Or maybe Shane Churla. I can’t remember. Because he let me do a lot of players after that. Phil was a great man. He wrote a recommendation for me when I decided to leave my insurance job at Travelers and go to Journalism School. Thanks Phil. I later wrote a novel about the Whalers “”Brass Bonanza Pkays Again”. Of course Phil is thanked in the prelude. Phil, you influenced a lot of lives. Mine too. Bob
Regina Crosby
June 3, 2018
Phil was the most industrious man I have ever known. He loved God, his family and his country. He was not ashamed of his convictions and he always stood for the underdog. Phil instilled within me, a love for reading, vocabulary and the English language. I can honestly say that Phil Langan lived by the motto of the USMC...Semper Fideles...Always Faithful, Ever Loyal. Thankyou Dad...for ALWAYS putting your family first.
mariejo loridan
October 17, 2017
Phil and Uta were my neighbours in 1972 and both very good Friends.....I came Twice to their place from France...last time was in 2005in Grantham....They were lovely and nice people..Phil was clever and very funny too...I lived so far awy I did not know their illness and nobody told me....Bye Friends!!!!Au revoir!Auf wiedersehen!!!
Dave Wohlhueter
September 20, 2017
I was the first full-time SID at Ithaca College (1965-67), and when I went to Bucknell, I was succeeded by Phil Langan, the 24-hour-a-day SID in 1967. As I said, I was the first full-time at IC, but after seeing Phil work, the administration thought that I had been part time.
I had the opportunity to work with Phil at Cornell in 1977. We were a great pair even sleeping at the office one night after a hockey game when the weather was too tough to travel.
When I arrived at Cornell in 1977, Phil, who had been the secretary-treasurer of CoSIDA, told me that I was going to run registration at the 1977 CoSIDA convention in LA, and that I was now the treasurer. I held that position for 35 years.
Phil was one of the great ones in the profession. Man, did he like to work, and he kept us all going too. There was never a more loyal person to the sports information/public relations profession than Phil;
I'll still remember that night when I returned from a Cornell hockey game, and his daughter called me on the telephone to tell me that Phil had passed, two days before my birthday.
Phil, I will never forget your loyalty and dedication to all of your friends and family.
roger acosta
January 22, 2011
Sorry to hear that your father passed away. This is Roger, we were in Germany together.Get in touch with me.
Maike
March 30, 2010
Those we hold closest to our hearts never truly leave us. They live on in the kindness they have shared and the love they brought into our lives.
(Author unknown)
When I think of Phil and Uta (I cannot mention one without the other) I think of two of the most special people in my life. And of the wonderful friendship we shared for 20 years. No matter how far we lived away from each other, no matter how the circumstances were, Phil and Uta were always loving, caring, loyal and kind friends.
I met Uta in Germany in 1989 and we instantly became friends. Uta and I were always talking, laughing and enjoyed spending time with each other so much. Whenever we met and vacationed together, we talked for days and weeks straight through and were just never finished.
In 1990 I met Phil. What a wonderful person he was! I remember his kindness, so many nice and interesting conversations, all the laughter, his good advice and the caring way he treated people.
Phil and Uta always kept in touch, - and I surely will miss all the letters, mails and phone calls. Whenever I was able to fly to visit Phil and Uta, it felt like coming home to two people I love.
They had not only been such dear friends to me, they also had been wonderful Opi and Omi to my son. They had the ability to relate to people regardless of age and to just simply touch hearts.
We are so sad about their deaths. But we are thankful for all the memories that we will always keep in our hearts. We feel blessed that Phil and Uta had been part of our lives. They surely enriched it. In front of our house in Germany we have a memorial candle to remember Phil and Uta.
Phil and Uta, we love and miss you.
Maike with
Mats, Kevin and Nico
Sandy Brock alias, "Two Toes"
February 17, 2010
It was such a shock to hear that Phil passed away, it's been too hard for me to even try to say anything for the past couple of months.
When Phil was your friend, he was your friend for life. No matter how busy he was, he would dash off a few pithy lines that made you laugh and made you think.
Reading all these entries makes me realize that he had a huge heart to go with his energy, to help so many people so well. And I've never seen such nicely written Guest Book entries in my life--the mentor would be proud (though he might wish we had something else to be poetical about).
When I was a "starving" undergrad at Cornell, I kept the tuition bills paid doing press releases, brochures, and stats for the SI office. Phil worked as hard at making it fun to be there as he worked at getting a huge volume of things done every 20+-hour day. (He brought a mattress in and camped in his office at Cornell when he first got that job, too!)
What can I say about a guy who gave me the nickname "Two Toes"? (He bestowed it because I was mowing lawns in my spare time and worried about slipping down a hill in the wet grass)...I quit worrying about my foot going under a mower, and started worrying that dang nickname would catch on around campus!
I know that words and condolences can't replace him for his family or friends, and I don't want to make anybody sadder, but I will miss him deeply.
Ah, Philsie, I know you're in a better place. We feel badly that you're gone from us, but we're all richer in spirit and inspiration for having been lucky enough to know you.
Therese Medua
February 13, 2010
Condolences from the Roberts family My brother and I grew up with Phil as a friend and although over the years we were only fortunate to see him a few times he is lovingly remembered as a good friend in good times and bad, always had a joke and a smile. Rest in peace buddy
karen baldwin
December 14, 2009
Phil Langan was a man of principles, integrity and the most ferocious work ethic we have ever seen. It was inspirational and it contributed to our own desires to work hard and do the right thing---and always do it kindly. Phil's contributions to the Hartford Whalers organization and the community of Hartford will live on. One of Phil's favorite sayings was "WHAT A COUNTRY" ---well we say - "WHAT A GUY" - Phil you will be missed --but fondly remembered. We are sure that the press conferences in heaven and the community relations there have much improved since Phil arrived! Love from us both - GO WHALERS - Karen and Howard Baldwin
Paul "Stretch" Patterson
December 12, 2009
I was fortunate enought to be attending Ithaca College when Phil was our SID. Unfortunately at the time, we didn't realize what a "prize" IC had with Phil until I went on to play professional baseball and later coach at the college level.. No one could compare with Phil's abilities to make a mediocre athlete look like a Heisman candidate. My hometown paper was deluged with press releases from IC. People from my hometown thought I had a "press agent"!!
Phil was a great friend, as he was with every other athlete at IC. He would love to light up a cigar after every baseball victory. His media guides won awards year after year.
Our lives have all been enriched having known Phil. While he has left us to be with his beloved wife, he will live on in our minds and hearts until we meet again on the playing field.
Rest easy my friend....... until we meet again. Get that cigar ready !!
"Stretch" Patterson
Chris Brown
December 11, 2009
If you could walk as fast as Phil Langan - you were good - the man could have been an Olympic champion in walking.
Not many bosses are out alonside of interns on the concourse hauling posters to each gate on the Civic Center concourse, but that was Phil,racing along and smiling all the way.
One of my favorite Phil moments was up in the press box before a Saturday night game the first year I interned with him - Army vs. Navy was on. The game came down to a field goal attempt. Phil actually STOPPED MOVING FOR A MOMENT - a rarity for Phil- to watch the kick. It went through and Phil gave a great cheer.
I cannot remember who made the kick, it might have been Navy, but I commented that his team had pulled it out.
He said, "Oh, I didn't care who won the game - I just wanted to see that kid rise up to the challenge and boot it through."
That was Phil - He liked seeing people succeed!
Brad Peters
December 10, 2009
Phil was our Boss, mentor, leader, but most of all he was our Friend. We thrived as a PR Team under his leadership. So many great experiences and fond memories. He was an an awsome man. We will miss you, Phil.
Rest in Peace.
The Hartford Whalers Booster Club
November 30, 2009
To the Langan Family, The Hartford Whalers Booster Club would like to say we are very sorry to hear about Phil's passing. He will be missed by all.
Chris Caputo
November 29, 2009
I was deeply saddened to hear of Phil's passing. I was lucky enough to be Phil's first intern at the Whalers in the fall of 1984. Phil loved that organization and the people he worked with. I learned so much from him it was amazing. To this day whenever I say "what a country" it's the Phil in me.
God Bless
John Perko
November 28, 2009
My Friend Phil Langdon, What a pleasure to have known you as neighbor when we were both neighbors on Coddington Road in ithaca. Our famile were young at the time and spent time as friends and as the children grew ,what good times. Had the pleasure seeing you at Prinston and Brorn in my travles with various sports teams. You were the best at Ithaca College in all you writinds, friends you showed to all you met. May you be in heaven and with the good lord,My Friend. { John J. Perko},Ithaca, N.Y.
John John Perko
November 28, 2009
My friend Phil Langdon and Neighbor in Ithaca, on Coddington Road. Our familes were young and our children had good times during your stay. Had the pleasure to see you at Prinston and Brown during my travlers with sports teams.The work you did at Ithaca and Cornell was the very best also working with you. And now in Heaven you will be the best, as always. Be happy with the Lord.{John J. Perko}
Keith Shields
November 27, 2009
I was sorry to hear of Phil's passing. As a basketball player at Ithaca College from 1967 to 1970, I was always impressed by his professional and personable demeanor. He was only at Ithaca a short time but he made a lasting impression on everyone he met.
Dennis Buden
November 27, 2009
In the early 1980s after attending journalism school and working for a variety of Connecticut newspapers, my dream was to work in public relations for a professional sports franchise. Between jobs, I was working part-time at a convenience store while sending hundreds of letters to every major league team in every sport, seeking a position. The one interview I got was with Phil Langan and the Whalers, and I was fortunate enough to work for Phil for more than two years before moving on to the NHL and, eventually, a lifelong career in public relations. Phil was the definition of a mentor, and took great pride in working with young professionals and inspiring them on to grand conquests. If James Brown was the hardest working man in show business, Phil Langan was the hardest working man in sports PR. Stories about his start with the Whalers are legend: To hit the ground running and get up to speed after taking the job, Phil actually hunkered himself down in the old Whalers offices in the Hartford Civic Center, working 18-20 hour days and sleeping on a cot in his office prior to the season while crafting the genesis of not only the best team media operation in the NHL, but a community relations program to rival any league or team. Talk about dedication to excellence. Without Phil, I never would have met and befriended the legendary Gordie Howe; been there when Kevin Dineen electrified Hartford during one frantic, unforgettable playoff night in '86; had the opportunity to work with and learn from such NHL media pros as Chuck Kaiton and Rick Peckham; been given the opportunity work on the national sports stage with the NHL; and have learned so much about sports public relations, handling a hungry media and maintaining focus, honor and integrity in the face of a media storm. Phil was very much a throwback to the old days, and brought an enviable and impeccable Ivy League honor and cred to the major league teams and communities he influenced. What a professional, and what a man of honor. Thank you, Phil, for all you've done for me and so many others - may you rest in peace. My sincerest condolences to the entire Langan family.
Andy McGowan
November 26, 2009
There are people that you meet in life that give you a chance at a dream. Who would have thought that it would be the start of career that I am still in after 20-plus years, thanks to Phil. He took me under his wing, as I have come to learn he’s done time and again for people throughout his career. He has inspired many people in the sports public relations world. He was my teacher and mentor. He was the hardest working person I’ve ever known in all my years in sports and business. Also, he was the most giving person. He always had time to help not only his staff, but people within the community.
I learned so much from him. He was such a special person and I am just grateful for having had him touch my life, as he touched so many lives. I will miss him.
My condolences to the Langan children and family. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Mike S.
November 26, 2009
Every boy dreams of either playing or working for a professional sports team. Thanks to Phil and Mark Willand, not only did my dream come true, but for a brief time my life was actually exceeding my dreams. Working as a part-time public relations assistant for Phil and Mark in the late 80’s was like having Red Auerbach or John Wooden teaching you how to play basketball. Phil really took me under his wing and I learned so much about writing and sports publicity from him. Phil was the consummate perfectionist who set unbelievably high standards for himself. His work ethic was something we should all strive for. The term “multitask” must have been invented with Phil in mind; I had never seen anyone take on and produce the volume of work he undertook. I hadn’t seen Phil since I left the Whalers some 20 years ago but, often think back to those years and all the great memories that will last me a lifetime. One of Phil’s lasting legacies will have to be all the young, aspiring sports publicists he helped get started in the field. I often think back to that Hartford Whalers’ era and how working for Phil helped prepare me for the success I would later achieve in graduate school, earning a Master’s Degree and, now, in my career as an educator. My deepest condolences to Phil’s children and family. My thoughts and prayers are with you now and in the days to come. May we all be strengthened by the wonderful memories we all have of Phil. Once again, my deepest condolences.
Randy Garrett
November 25, 2009
Phil would write me every September and recall his great times at Ithaca College. We were all hoping to see him one day at a Cortaca game. He loved Ithaca and loved working with the coaches and student athletes. Phil, you will be in our thoughts and prayers and hearts forever. Tell "Butts" we said hi.
We Love You and will always remember you!! Thanks for making a difference in our lives!!
Love Randy Garrett
Mark Willand
November 25, 2009
Phil was the hardest working and most charitable person I ever met. He was a real credit to his family.
Phil had a huge influence in my life and I'll always be grateful for the many lessons he taught me.
"What a Country!"
Mark and Rose Willand
Sheila Bassett
November 25, 2009
Good Bye to a dear friend,you and your family were such a special part of our family so many years ago.
I know you are with Uta and god and we will miss you but always remember.
Look after ue all!
Love,The Bassetts
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