Philip Aziz Atiyeh

Philip Atiyeh Obituary

Philip Aziz Atiyeh, 77, of Avon, beloved husband of Elaine (Boutross) Atiyeh, died peacefully Wednesday (January 2, 2002) at St. Francis Hospital. Born in Brooklyn, NY on November 5, 1924, he was the son of the late Selma (Mallouk) and Aziz Atiyeh. He grew up in Brooklyn, attended Adelphi High School, was graduated cum laude from Princeton University's class of '46. Phil spent many happy summers at his family's summer home in Milford, PA among the close-knit Lebanese community. After graduating, Phil joined his brother, Fred, working in his father's family Oriental rug business, the renowned Atiyeh Brothers of New York City. In 1951, Phil married his childhood friend, Elaine. In 1956, he moved to Manhasset, NY where he spent 28 years dedicated to providing for, and raising his six children. Phil's strong sense of civic service led him to leadership roles in numerous community organizations and professional associations including the Council of Greater Manhasset Civic Associations, in which he took great pride, the Manhasset Library Board of Directors, numerous Munsey Park boards and councils, the Oriental Rug Importers Association and the Haddad Foundation. After retiring in 1984, he moved to Avon. Phil continued his contribution to the community, serving on the Avon Library Board of Directors. Phil's lifetime passion for duplicate bridge earned him the prestigious designation of Diamond Life Master. Throughout the years, he enjoyed many happy hours attending his many clubs, where he was highly respected, with his countless friends and partners, especially those in his later years from the Hartford Bridge Club. Phil's kind and gentle manner will be greatly missed by his many friends, and especially by his family. In addition to his wife, Elaine, of 50 years, Phil is survived by his four sons, Phil and his wife Colleen of Cheshire, Tom and his wife Cindy of Simsbury, Bob and his wife Wendy of Enfield. and Chris of Avon; and his two daughters, Dianne Francis and her husband Steven of Glen Cove, NY, and Jeananne McMahon and her husband Daniel of Newington; and his ten grandchildren, Clifford, Ashley, Kim, Lindsey, Katie, Kristine, Kelsie, Evan, Tom and Caitlin. Friends and family may call at the Vincent Funeral Home, 120 Albany Turnpike, Canton, TODAY, January 4, 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Funeral will be Saturday, January 5, 10:15 a.m. from the Vincent Funeral Home, Canton followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. in the Church of St. Ann, Avon. Internment will follow in St. Ann's Cemetery, Avon. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Covenant House, an organization that helps wayward children, 346 W. 17th St., N.Y., N.Y. 10011 or The Church of St. Ann, 289 Arch Road, Avon, CT 06001.

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Published by Hartford Courant on Jan. 4, 2002.

Memories and Condolences
for Philip Atiyeh

4 Entries

Douglas Deacon

January 15, 2002

I was fortunate to know Phil for all the years that he played at the Hartford Bridge Club. He was always one of our best players and, more importantly, he was always a friend and a gentleman. He often won our games, and he always won our hearts.

Once (only once!) I made a play that cost Phil and his partner a good score. This didn't happen to Phil very often, and his reaction was telling. He thought for a moment, looked at me with a smile and said, "Nice play, I'll have to remember that one." I have no doubt that he did.

His spirit will be missed but never forgotten. At their January meeting, our Board of Trustees voted to name the annual masterpoint race, a race Phil won virtually every year for the last ten years, in his honor.

Douglas Deacon

President

Hartford Bridge Club

Henry T. Sain II

January 8, 2002

I was not fortunate enough to have know Mr. Philip Aziz Atiyeh and his wife Elaine. However, I became a close friend of their daughter Dianne, and also met Philip, when I lived in Queens in the late 1970s.

I believe that children often display the positive traits, which parents impress on their children - kindness, trust, loyalty, sharing, compassion, faith, to name a few.

Dianne has these attributes and she shares them with others. So I know that Mr. and Mrs. Atiyeh both personnified these positive characteristics, because I have experienced them personally in my friendship with Dianne.

What a wonderful legacy for parents to impart to their children. Surely, they will have wonderful memories of Mr. Philip Atiyeh to comfort them and bolster their abiding faith.

Sincerely, Henry

Dinah Schulman

January 4, 2002

Philip,a gentleman in all ways with a lovely sense of humour. Will be sadly missed at the Hartfod Bridge Club where he distinguished himself as one of the best players.

Bob and Linda Scagni

January 4, 2002

We offer our sincere condolences to Wendy and Bob Atiyeh and their children. Although we did not know your father, Bob, we acknowledge your sorrow and pray for your family.

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