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Philip J. Armstrong

Philip Armstrong Obituary

ARMSTRONG--Philip J., beloved by all who met him, died at his home in New York City at age 63 on August 14, 2009 after a hard fight against cancer. He is survived by his partner of 43 years and his brother Edward Armstrong of Petersburg, PA.

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Published by New York Times on Aug. 17, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for Philip Armstrong

Sponsored by anonymous.

259 Entries

Paul Richer

March 24, 2024

Dear Felipe,
I am a friend of Philip´s from high school years.
A mutual friend asked about him recently so I tracked down this sad news.
But I am so happy to know he was in a beautiful relationship for 43 years with you. I have great memories-he was one of the nicest & authentic people I have known.
Best wishes from Paul

Felipe Marrero

August 14, 2023

Dearest Philip,
Light of my life, it's been so long since I've written but please know you are always present in my thoughts and more than ever I miss your wonder and the astonishing comfort you gave me, I grab daily on the memories of the subtle way and ease by which I think of what you would have advised and I hang on to the branch of a well rooted tree like a ripening fruit of a well solid rooted tree as was yours.
So much to tell you but don't know where to even begin, As for me I'm well and getting better from a broken hip, our dear Wonderful friends and families as I said we are all ripening some better than others and some more matured but we are alright, Lisa Mazey quite an accomplished artist deep in her creativity, as is Alister with his remarkable drawings, "The Gorgeous Blond" as Tom Harding used to call her is as beautiful as ever totally devoted to their delectable wonderful grandchildren who are just flowering, Devine Miss
Deborah fell down the stairs in Calgary is in Hospital w shoulder & hip fracture but sounds great, Iveta is in bad shape in a nursing home, Gardner Has gone through hell and back and doing very well.
Spoke w/ cousin Kay she too sounds very well and a while a ago spoke w Lesly but unfortunately lost contact w/ Sondra and her Children.
Now as for us we have had unreal weather and have not replaced our Boxwood on the window
Boxes or front door planters it deprived the sparrows but not the Pigeons occasionally Doves
from visiting which I of-course associate them w/ you and Mother.
My Sister is doing terrific as are my nephews.
And as for me I'm still maturing on our branch.
and when my time comes may it please God we
will be reunited.
You are everything to me, my light, my sun, moon, you will always be my reason.
Always yours,
Felipe

Felipe

August 14, 2022

My Dearest beloved Armstrong,
I have been meaning to write to you all day and one thing or another turned up that prevented me from accomplishing my initial goal of the day and now it is late and I am exhausted both physically and mentally,
but couldn't let the day pass by without making an effort to send you these few words.
As the Lyrics of one of Willie Nelson's song say " You are always on my mind, You are always on my mind".
it's now been 13 Years since you left my side and there are no words that can adequately express how much I miss you.
You were and are everything to me, everything I do is instinctively measured with you in mind, you had such a perceptive demeanor, talent, style and elegance in your every move, you had an incomparable incandescent magnetic presence and beauty that outshone the brightest light.
I love and will always adore you.
I will write again soon, there is so much to tell you.
Wendy and I speak often, her family is beautiful and gloriously happy living in Garrison, NY.
For now my Darling and until the next post know that
I will always Love and miss you.

Felipe

Felipe Marrero

August 14, 2021

Felipe Marrero

August 14, 2021

Felipe Marrero

August 14, 2021

Felipe Marrero

August 14, 2021

Photo's attached of Philip & Felipe & Adele.

Felipe Marrero

August 14, 2021

My Darling Philip,

Twelve years ago today I lost you and with you my life.
You were everything to me and still are, I miss you more than ever, you made everything bright and wonderful, your demeanor was and is still incomparable, time has passed but you are fervent in my mind.
As I was writing this note to you, I stopped, and started reminiscing about our lives together since 1966 and all the magnificent things we did, from being smitten the moment I saw you and falling in Love to setting up our first apartment and outstandingly decorating the various homes we shared, your Go see Modeling career and acting auditions you were always splendid it is no wonder that everyone that met you wanted to be part of you or take you from me.

I was remembering our first 19th Street split level duplex Garden apartment, that we could barely afford but stupendously and creatively managed a way to decorated it, from the silk chiffon multi colored similar pale hues patch work under drapes we crated which were very Federico Fellini in the breeze, the upside down antique Paper Chinese umbrella we wired as a chandelier, the 19th. street Block assoc. with a small mass group dressed like farmers with wooden shovels, pitch forks and babies in slings claiming that the trees in our garden had been borrowed without their permission which I of-course denied and blamed it on you, only to feel ashamed and a few minutes later came out and hung over the balcony and admitted that I was the culprit, somehow they liked us and kind of adopted us and we all became close friends. I could go on the topic from our at the time early friend the model Heidy Schumacher who's face was plastered on all Beauty Parlor windows and her dog Bros who eventually we adopted, Dosey & Mazey our ducks given to us by Myra Gribetz in our garden on 93rd street. the nights at the Five Oaks crawling under the piano and me singing w/ Marie, and as everyone knows I can't sing a note to save my life, all the way up to our long vacation trips in Europe and of our many marvelous friends all the way till you went away 43 wonderful years later and now.

In the meantime I'll hold on to the candor of my memories and always know that I miss you dearly.

With my unending Love until next time.
Yours always,

Felipe

joe NICCOLINI

February 10, 2020

remember our trip to P.R. and still have pics

JOE NICCOLINI

February 8, 2020

remember our times together fondly

Felipe Marrero

February 6, 2020

My Beloved Beautiful Armstrong,

Today would have been your 74th Birthday, all of us who knew and loved you well would have been celebrating it, yet we have the consolation that we can only do that with the amazing memories of you, specially Today as to how wonderfully we used to spend your special day together with our dear friends, Wendy and Alister, Adele, Tom, Debbie before she moved back to Calgary, Iveta and everyone else.

As for me my darling you were so very special, you had the inner qualities that were so gentle, honest straight forward but always respectful and kind, you were someone that inspired someone to look up to.

I miss you, I miss your unforgettable beautiful face the daily gentle hello goodbye hugs and kisses and know that you will be for ever present in my thoughts.

I will always love you and I will never forget you, you graced my life and I am the better for it.

Yours eternally,

Felipe

Felipe Marrero

August 14, 2019

My Darling Philip,

Though today marks the 10th. year anniversary of your departure I am still dismayed that I lost you when you were so young, when our wonderful inseparable lives of 43 years were at such a beautiful bloom.

I reminisce of the many marvelous fun and hard times we had together and how much I miss you, your impeccable manners, your astounding multiple subtle talents, your unique unassuming qualities by which people were so attracted to you, your congenial ways, your astonishing beauty and grace were simply remarkable and in addition to all those qualities, to me, your scent is unforgettable, you were and will always be my better half, my better self, I would be nothing without having been part of you.

You were so amazingly talented, you could cook like the greatest chef (boy do I miss that) your laughter and joy of life was infectious, you could elegantly dress to perfection, you could find and identify beauty out of anything and you could create beauty out of anything at all, you had such abilities and wisdom you were truly an extraordinary person, I relied on you for so much and at the risk of sounding selfish I miss you so very much, I would give anything just to be able to see and touch your beautiful face and see your glorious blue eyes and smile with you.

I will write again soon and keep you abreast of what's going on around here and with our friends who miss you as well, meanwhile interestingly as I write I notice that the flame of the candle I light each night for you is unusually flickering high as if you were sending a signal, I like to think, that you too miss me.

Philip I will love you always.

Felipe

Felipe Marrero

February 6, 2019

My Dearest Armstrong,

And so today we, and all who loved you, would have been celebrating your 73rd. Birthday.

It is still difficult to believe that 10 years have now gone by because to me you are ever present in my thoughts and heart every moment of of the day, nothing happens in my life without a reference and remembrance of you, always asking what you would have suggested I do, asking myself what would he have done, but of-course it always comes back to the unforgettable memories of you and the component of what formed the most important missing part of who I now remain.

Needless to say I miss you even more, when friends say time will heal well somehow that idiom, no matter how well intentioned, does not apply to what we were.

I recently was going through my files and discovered and read an email you sent me when I was traveling away working, it was dated two years before you went away a few months after your diagnosis it was written in the middle of the night, it was so tender and sensitive it broke my heart, I love you too.

My darling, as an effort to snap out of the sadness I will tell you that lately weather wise it's been a roller coaster ride, it was so cold in the low single digits that lately even the sparrows were not coming to the window sill planters, but today and as was yesterday the temp. went up into the low 60s so they came and chirped away and didn't fly away as I approached the windows, now that is weird because as you know me I immediately associate their visit w/ you.

Much has has happened since last I wrote, first I have been remiss in not being in touch w/ our friends, time just seems to slip like wind in an open window, it blows the days into the next and it has turned me into a procrastinator so a day turns into a week and.... well I think you get the drift.

I have been in touch a few friends, divine Wendy who is enthralled with her wondrous delightful grand children Clara & Jack (can you believe she's a grand mother ?) Iveta not so much she's unwell and has become a hermit very difficult to reach but I know she's got a very good neighbor that takes very good care of her and her needs, spoke w/ Lisa Mazey she seems to be well and somewhat content she sent me photos of her current Art work and she is amazingly talented you would be so proud, our beloved Debbie is doing better but unfortunately had a major heart attack as did Erika her mother a few months later but you know Deb, she's the unsinkable Calgary Debbie, my sister and I have become quite close and she's doing well, Kenny is retiring and Joey well he's lovable Joey, I speak w/ Gardner often and we laugh a lot and w/ Matthew not as much as before..... been meaning to call Sondra whom I haven't spoken to for sometime but as i said before the days pass chores accumulate and don't get to do things that would give me pleasure, but I will.

As for me I'm just shouldering on with the thought that you are always with me.

I adore you my darling, I will always.

Felipe

NICCO!

JOSEPH NICCOLINI

August 15, 2018

WAS SOOO SWEET. We had GOOD TIMES HERE AND IN P.R.

8/14/18

August 14, 2018

8/14/18

August 14, 2018

Flowers for you

August 14, 2018

Felipe Marrero

August 14, 2018

My Beloved Armstrong,

Today marks the ninth year anniversary of your unfortunate early passing and it still feels like if it was yesterday, never a day goes by that the memory of you is not present in my life.

I didn't think it was possible to miss and love you more but each day that passes I revere you and cherish your character and all that I've learned from you all the more.

You were such an amazing person that anyone that met you was instantly smitten by your beauty, candor and magnetism
you were truly incomparable, and I, from the moment I saw your large beautiful blue eyes that were like translucent pools of water, I became captivated and will always remain so.

You and your extended family were extraordinary, welcoming and generous with their embrace of me, I will be forever grateful for those immeasurable experiences.

I miss you my darling more so each day and when my time comes I wish and hope that we will be reunited.

I will write you again soon to keep you posted on all the wonders that our friends are and what they are up to, from north to south east to west and around the corner.

As an aside, while picking up the dry cleaning I was carrying the flowers I bought to celebrate your memory, Ben, the attendant commented about how they were so beautiful and I told him they were for you he became saddened and reminisced about you and could not believe that nine years had passed, he said that " to him it was like as if he had seen you yesterday" and that was very nice and comforting.

Well my Darling for now and until next time, know that I love you.

Yours always,

Felipe

Felipe Marrero

February 6, 2018

My Cherished Philip,

And so today I would have been toasting you with Champagne and celebrating with friends your 72nd Birth Day, instead I am reminiscing past delightful celebrations and the very essence of you.

I do so miss you, there's not a minute of every day that you are not present in my thoughts.

As it is usual, but strangely more so today, the sparrows were in the window sill planters chirping away, they usually fly away at their perception of any close movement but not so this morning I came into the alcove with my cup of coffee in hand and they stayed there chirping away for a while and of-course I associated the pleasant incidence with you being present.

I went to the cabinet and took a whiff of your fragrance closed my eyes and pretended to feel your gentle hello and goodbye caress, an unforgettable bitter sweet sensation.

You were so very special and are fondly remembered by all
our friends.

As for me, I adore you, I will always.

Felipe Marrero

JOSEPH NICCOLINI

August 16, 2017

Hw time flies. Cannot believe PHILIP has been gone so long. Thanks for mentioning me. I hope PHILIP will smile and remember our trip to PUERTO RICO those many years ago. I hope we meet again in the afterlife.

Wendy, Philip & Alister @ early 1970's

Felipe Marrero

August 15, 2017

Philip Head Shot 1966

Felipe Marrero

August 15, 2017

Philip @ 1963 - 1964

Felipe Marrero

August 15, 2017

Philip @ 2 or 3 Years Old

Felipe Marrero

August 15, 2017

Felipe Marrero

August 15, 2017

My Beloved Armstrong,

I wanted to write earlier but somehow one day melts into the other and as it is now more evident I tend to procrastinate or something comes up that requires attention and hence here I am a day later than intended which would have marked the eighth anniversary of my loosing you.

It is still difficult to fathom that it's now eight years since you have graced my life and this our home and yet it feels as if it were yesterday.

Today has been grey and raining lightly but yesterday was sunny and pleasant, the Boxwood hedges on the window sills and the trees by the front door are doing terrific, I actually added another smaller container with long trailing Ivy and bright red geraniums that you loved the same color as the door and I think you would be proud of me, but i have to tell you waterings these many beast takes a toll but so be it one day you work hard and the next you feel like a wreck.
The indoor plants though are easier to maintain and are doing great although the Orchids are missing you are very sad and are not blooming,

As I was leaving yesterday for an appointment to see Dr. Feldman, I was checking the place and turning off the lights and when I was in the bedroom I suddenly noticed something move in the direction of one of the windows and there was a beautiful bird that had flown to the window by your bed, I didn't dare move for fear of scaring it, but the strangest thing is that it perched precariously on to the horizontal stile of the middle of the window, impossible to miss, and it stood there for several minutes looking in turning it's head quickly in all directions but mainly towards me and it was as in my mind you had came to say hello it felt gratifying and comforting and inexplicable feeling and then after some time it flew away, I later told this to Dr. Feldman who misses you as well and he said that it gave him chills !

So much has happened around here, The Village has been changing Charlie Ma, The French Roast and Ray's pizza are history, new establishments have moved in but the charm of the neighborhood and especially these few blocks is unchanged, Gene's is still here as well as the old friends and neighbors we've known on the block that still remember you fondly.

I'm in touch infrequently although wonderfully with Wendy
who is going to be a Grandmother again to Kate's new baby, Colin is in love and will be get married soon, Alister is doing his Art Work and enjoying retirement, Debbie as always wonderfully optimistic a totally delicious unconditional friend, Gardner is doing well and hilarious at times we put a bit of laughter in our lives, Iveta personally not so well and she just lost her mother Zenta this past saturday she was 94 yrs, I need to call Sondra I have been remiss although I had the pleasure of a nice conversation with Lesley who called me a while ago and our old friend Joe Niccolini who remembers you so fondly, he is living in Miami Beach and enjoying what he calls old age!, Liza Mazey is doing fine last I spoke with her and that too is been a while, My sister and nephews are doing well I need to call them, and as for me I am well but just not the same as when we were together.

Well my darling I miss so terribly there's not a day that passes that you are not in my thoughts and wish that you were still here with me.

I will always love you and relish the memories .

Yours,

Felipe

Me with bartenders

JOSEPH NICCOLINI

February 8, 2017

PHILIP was a great guy and I will always cherish our times together, especially in Puerto Rico. Hope you are doing well.

Felipe Marrero

February 6, 2017

My Dearest Beautiful Philip,

On this which would have been your 71st. Birthday, I didn't want the day to pass without at least letting you know that, today, as always you are in my thoughts.

My darling please forgive me for not writing earlier as there is so much to tell you but It has been an arduous day and I'm tapped out, but didn't want to miss telling you that I adore you.

I will write you again tomorrow to let you know how exceptionally pleasantly beautiful your birth-day here in New York was like.

But more than anything else I wanted you to know that I miss you more everyday and specially today not being able to warmly hug you and kiss your beautiful cheeks.

Yours always,

Felipe

JOSEPH NICCOLINI

August 16, 2016

MISS OUR TIMES TOGETHER.

Felipe Marrero

August 14, 2016

My Beloved Armstrong,

I have been meaning to write you all day but somehow I didn't get to do so until now, and as it appears of late I don't always accomplish my intents as I would rather.

I've just looked at the time and noticed the strange coincidence that it is within the approximate time that our eyes last gazed at each other not able to say goodbye but for a hug and a kiss.. to let go was extremely painfully sad.

You were and will remain the light of my life, nothing will change that I am nothing but for an extension of you.

I miss you so very much, the vivid memories of you are ever present and I wouldn't change that for a minute..

As for me, my darling, I've just become a sort of content recluse, tending to the usual routine with high ambitions to make contact with love ones and tackle long planned projects that just get buried in a pile of notes or postponed , however slowly, I have gotten some of them accomplished and the rest I will get to their resolve...but then what's the hurry ?

In the meantime I am trying to maintain a semblance of normalcy to this our home, nothing much has changed since I lost you, I've maintained the beautiful Indoor and out door plants that you started which by the way keep blooming, the everyday maintenance etc. is exhausting, I wonder daily how you managed to make our home a happy home on all levels, a welcoming warm "Glad" to be home environment and have time for a balanced social life, and shopping, your passion, I knew it then but I realize it even more now that it was You, your being, your essence your luminous resplendent colors........

You were extraordinary, just to put up with me for 43 years must have been a feat of love and tolerance, thank you, thank you, thank you for being you.. You will always mean everything to me.

To quote Nina Mazey, on these page's first entry, "There's one less bright light in NYC" and she was right, to me nothing will ever be luminous again.

When I first saw and met you in 1965 I was smitten and I've adored You ever since.

I miss you now much more so than ever my beautiful gentle Philip.

Felipe.

2016 You were always resplendent and will remain so in my thoughts.

Felipe Marrero

August 14, 2016

2016 When I see Beauty I see Only You.

Felipe Marrero

August 14, 2016

2016 The Brilliance of these colors can't compare to the beauty of your spirit.

Felipe Marrero

August 14, 2016

2016 Flowers in your Memory, we would have been 50 years together.

Felipe Marrero

August 14, 2016

2016 Flowers in your Honor on the 7th. year anniversary after loosing you.

Felipe Marrero

August 14, 2016

JOSEPH NICCOLINI

February 7, 2016

I know how much you miss Philip. We had a good time in PUERTO RICO and have pictures of our time there. I remember the fun times at your place too. I hope time heals some of your broken heart. GOD bless and keep you always. I too have loss close friends over the years and it saddens me greatly.

EDWARD CUBERO

February 7, 2016

So sad philip is gone. I know how much you miss him. I hope life will be better for you. We had fun together in our younger years. Fun in Puerto Rico too. I have pictures of those days.

Wendy, Alister and Philip 7/4/2004

Felipe Marrero

February 6, 2016

Your Amazing Silk Thread Twig Sculpture, C. mid 1970's

Felipe Marrero

February 6, 2016

Your Candle

Felipe Marrero

February 6, 2016

Roses for you w/ your Portrait in background.

Felipe Marrero

February 6, 2016

Roses in Honor of your 70th Birthday.

Felipe Marrero

February 6, 2016

On the Anniversary of Your 70th. Birthday

Felipe Marrero

February 6, 2016

My Dearest Philip,

Sitting here in our dimmed lighted and candle lit apartment on what would have been your 70th Birthday I am fondly reflecting on the astonishing and inimitable life we had together and on how fortunate I was and am to have had you in my life as my partner for 43 unforgettable marvelous Years, what a ride that was certainly one for the books! ...... and of-course also knowing that in one week from today
on Feb. 12th, we would have been celebrating our inseparable 50 sublime and amazing years together.

Over and over I ask my self how in the world did he put up with me for so long, but you had without question the very best of any and all human qualities, you were indeed so very special.

I am trying to not be sad but it's difficult because there's not a moment in any day that I don't miss you , to not be able to ask for your invaluable opinions or to be able to talk with you, or not, because we could always anticipate and read each others minds..... well, so be it.... I'll just pretend
to speak to you but I just can't hear your responses.

I wish i could have bought you the best Birthday cake and thrown the biggest party but instead I got, in your honor, Yellow and White Roses to help me reminisce how you always without fail had fresh flowers around the house, a tradition that sadly I have not as often maintained......

Your creativity, sense of taste, style and beauty were astonishing, I learned so much from you you were truly exceptional.....
And speaking of creativity...by God.... your Culinary abilities were extraordinary you had an innate ability to magically make delicious varied intuitive dishes (better than the best restaurants) with such ease..... Even the everyday settings and presentations not to mention the special occasions were bar non irresistible.....

That is another one of those wonderful memory of everyday occurrences that I miss so much, and that is that we always made the effort to be together, even though not always at the appointed time but you always waited for me to stop work and come up and share at least dinner together and from that moment on we would spend the remains of the day in each others company, Priceless memories.

I miss you my Darling with all my heart, far beyond what mere words could express.

I will always cherish you my beautiful Philip.

Felipe

OUR PR TRIP

joseph NICCOLINI

August 20, 2015

I miss him too. Sweet guy. I know you miss him so much in your latter years...

Felipe Marrero

August 14, 2015

My Darling Philip ~

What I wouldn't do to have you back here with me and be able to talk and hug you as we did.

To say I miss you isn't sufficient enough as each and every moment of the day you are present in my thoughts.

Dearest, there's nothing that ever happens in my life that you are not evoked, wether it be waking, sleeping, dreaming just plain speaking to friends.... just basically any activity.......I always say " This Philip would Like !, What would Philip Think ?, and so on and I'm the better for it because you were and are my all..............

Today will mark the Sixth year that you've been gone and had you survived we would have been together 49 years of an amazingly marvelous times together, It was such a comfort and something that I took for granted that we were to always be together.

We sure did have terrific times..... and while the memories are comforting I miss you all the more now at this age.

This was supposed to be the time when we were to play and travel and live life but I'm now alone with memories of you and us, nothing is or will ever be the same.

Our friends are wonderful, we are new uncles to Clara Wendy's Grad Daughter born three weeks ago and to Lucia my Cousin's daughter born three days ago in Panama City both as well and the Mothers are fine and beautiful......

Spoke to Sondra a few weeks ago she and your nephews are well, she is always so uplifting, Kendra, Your niece Lesley's daughter got married.

As for Iveta she is still taking care of Zenta her Mother not an easy life by any means has no support and it's difficult.

As for Debbie.... I am going to start calling her Bubbles... she is as effervescent as always she is total unconditional love a marvelous supportive loving friend.
Gardner is dealing with his loss and and the turmoil with his new next door neighbor.....
Peggy ?, ....... well best left unsaid.........

On our front most of the The Boxwood hedges survived the bitter winter, brother it was cold, and they are looking terrific and of-course I replaced the ones that didn't make it.
The sun will be setting in about an hour a half and the wonderful light coming through the west windows are at this time of day reaching through the entire apartment and it's just so you...... bright cheery and as it's setting highlighting the beauty by just the brush stroke of a light ..... so you.

Well Darling, the Sunlight is dimming fast and so I'll bid adieu until next time.

I miss you so much my dearest Philip.... I hope you know.

Yours until,

Felipe

2005 Philip & Felipe @ Darleen Rubin's Exhibit

Felipe Marrero

February 9, 2015

2015 Flowers for your Birthday

Felipe Marrero

February 9, 2015

2015 Flowers for Your Birthday

Felipe Marrero

February 9, 2015

2015 Flowers for your Birthday

Felipe Marrero

February 9, 2015

2015 Amazing how it blooms for your Birthday

Felipe Marrero

February 9, 2015

2015 BirthdayOrchid

Felipe Marrero

February 9, 2015

2015 Your Orchid That Blooms in Time your birthday

Felipe Marrero

February 9, 2015

felipe Marrero

February 9, 2015

My Dearest Philip,

I have been meaning to write to you darling, as I always do in time for this which would have been your 69th. Birthday and I know in my heart that you will forgive me for being a few days late, I know you know that you are alway present on my mind and that for some reason or another lately a day's time just blends away into the next and before you know the days pass and things one wanted to accomplish just don't get done.

The Henri Matisse "The Cut Outs" Exhibit at MOMA has been
going on for a while and I had not been to see it so on your Birthday as it was the last day that it was open late before the show ended and to avoid the crowds I chose to go and see it, I knew that you would have understood...... It was part in your Honor and it was undeniably spectacular in all aspects.... his genius is an understatement.

I did you well that day, I went befittingly and elegantly dressed as you normally would have for any occasion and Armstrong, I must say, astonishingly, the crowds literally parted as I approached any area, there was an eery good feeling of admiring awe that doubtless had to be because you were present within me as if you were subconsciously recognized.....You were always so astonishingly and extraordinarily beautiful.... that is the only way this phenomenon could be explained !
I must say that at times I did start to laugh out loud (as I do here at home when talking with you) but fought my self realizing that they would have sent for the nets and I would have ended up in the dog pound....... so I chilled ! ...... and had a wonderful time.

In composing these lines the light of day has passed to darkness, I lit the candles as well as your portrait's light only whose luminance provide a warm comforting glow.

Darling, I was looking out the window at the new Rudin Complex rising above the Town houses across the street that replaced the Old St. Vincent Hospital whose High Coleman's Pavillion you disliked for it's monolithic architectural irrelevance ..... I must say as much as we needed the Hospital you would like the result of the Rudin Complex, although I know you would agree with the rest of the community that the full hospital (even if not particularly attractive) was far more beneficial than more high end luxury housing.

On other fronts it has been an especially cold and unusual winter or at least I'm experiencing it to be so, high 40's one day and the next mid to low teens then 40's again (Hello !) seems a bit strange... perhaps it's the getting " Old Monocle tag " that I must wear from now on, but Honey Florida (I'm biting my tongue as I write this) god forbid sometimes sounds maaa-veh-loos, NEVA ( never).

If you listen to the professionals predicting the weather one would call each day the end of the world.... any wind is a storm.... Cities close down and "Nada".... wonder what the public will do when there'll really be need to pay attention ? most people are just taking it in stride. !

Our Window Hedges will most likely have to be replaced again this year..... the last time they lasted 3 years this time I don't think they'll make it.... I can see the winter burn at the tips so come spring when they are sheered if there is any resilience we will see.

There is so much to tell you....... and I'll try and catch up soon again.. but in the mean time just a few things of note:

Debby is as always Debby....... Just a totally beautiful wonderful heart a true unconditional loving friend, thank you for bringing her into my life..

Iveta.... Not as good as she would like it to be but holding on, resilient, a wonderful friend, she's my oldest current friend since 1962.

Wendy & Alister, are happy in their new house and thrilled that they will be Grandparents to Kate's Baby, and We too are going to be proud grand uncles.
Wendy is going to have foot surgery this coming month so she can wear pretty shoes again, and they are adjusting to life in Siberia ! Time will tell.

Gardner is coping with the loss of his Step Father, Father and now his beloved Mother..... it's very difficult for him but he's strong and is keeping a stiff upper lip, after we've known him for so long we've become good close friends.

Matthew is Mathew, brilliant & terrific we don't speak as often but is a good dependable friend.

Peggy.... Well Peggy is wonderful Peggy....she'll be having surgery this week I hope all will be well as is expected and of-course With Cuba on her mind. There should be a song written with that title in her Honor.

Sondra and nephews are all well in PA we speak often and she's very dear to me.

Cousin Carol re-married, her new partner looks and sounds like a fine man......

My Sister and Nephew Joey....are Wonderful we are much closer after mom's passing and they are on their way to Italy to spend time with Kenny whom you know lives there.

And it gives me pleasure that everyone we knew in the Village without exception remembers you so very fondly.

And Lastly Darling about us I wish us a ..............
HAPPY 49th ANNIVERSARY on the 12th of February
We were 19 and 20 years old (two months apart) when we became inseparable until you went away 5-1/2 years ago and as far as i'm concern now.

I miss you so, I miss you even more each day.

Yours Forever and a day,

Felipe

Felipe Marrero

August 14, 2014

My Dearest Darling,

On this pleasantly beautiful warm summer day I am sitting at your desk to write this note and am looking at the south facing windows and noticing the glimmering sun light shining on the leaves of our Boxwood hedges planted in the boxes, there is a gentle breeze creating an undulating dance like sequence that you, more than mere mortals, most certainly would be conscious of and appreciate it's beauty.

The brilliance of the light is of special significance because it is one of the many wonderful ways I remember you, always impeccably radiant, you will always be the light of my eyes.

As beautiful and promising as this day appears to be it also feels sort of empty because today signifies the fifth year of your premature passing, it's as if it were still yesterday that you left and every day since I miss you all the more.

Yes I am sad, but I am also strong and am warmly smiling envisioning as I do everyday reminiscing your vivid yet reserved laughter and because I will never forget your splendor specially in your beautiful larger luminous blue eyes, the wisp of your grey hair, your sensibility your intelligent advise...... All that was the essence of you.

I will cherish you eternally.

Yours as always,

Felipe

Philip & Herb Schweitzer @ 1998

Felipe Marrero

February 5, 2014

Philip @ 70's Helping Build Bill's House Extension

Felipe Marrero

February 5, 2014

Philip @ 1966 at 93rd. Street House garden

Felipe Marrero

February 5, 2014

Philip & Wendy @ 1968

Felipe Marrero

February 5, 2014

Philip & Wendy @ 1968

Felipe Marrero

February 5, 2014

Wendy & Philip @ 1968

Felipe Marrero

February 5, 2014

P at Dorell casuals @ 1966

Felipe Marrero

February 5, 2014

Philip Modeling @ 1970

Felipe Marrero

February 5, 2014

Philip Acting Head Shot

Felipe Marrero

February 5, 2014

Felipe Marrero

February 5, 2014

My Dearest Armstrong,

As I write these lines while snow is falling and gently accumulating on the small limbs of the miniature hedges planted in our window boxes I am peacefully thinking of how sixty eight years ago today on the sixth day of February you graced this world and how marvelously fortunate I was that 20 years thereafter, when I met you, that you would make my life whole and full of wondrous happiness for the following 43 years.

Today we would have been together 48 years, celebrating your 68th. Birthday, and while I know you are not present in this plane we are still together in spirit and eternal memory.

Today as in every day I am remembering and celebrating your birth and what it has meant to me and for the many lives you've touched.

Your very gentle presence, your alluring demeanor, your elegance, your large piercing blue eyes, your warm and friendly smile were so endearing that you will always be thought of and very much missed… For me our every day good morning greetings, warm hello and goodbye kiss embraces are palpable… Your uniqueness unmatched you could never ever be replicated.

I miss you my darling so very much, everything I do, as I always did, I think in terms of asking what would you have done or advised but more often than not I'm left in a quandary, the uncertainty turns to indecision and I tend to procrastinate, I am trying to draw from our lives together and be once again assertive and somehow….. I will.

Darling, so many things have happened, you probably already know that Mama passed away the day before Thanksgiving, you probably have already helped welcome her (there) and as the best friends that you were you most likely have already taken her shopping, with your impeccable taste, for the most beautiful pair of wings for her, She too was beautiful and a remarkable person.

On current events, Wendy & Alister are well but have decided to relocate to Raliegh, North Carolina this coming summer and will permanently leave their Fifth Avenue Ancestral Homestead and though lately we have had limited contact I will miss them dearly, Kate and Colin will be staying here elsewhere in the City, Debby is as Debby always has been a Big wonderful loving pure boundless generous heart an unconditional friend, Iveta with Zenta problems but she's managing, Peggy your Gym buddy has become a fond and supportive best friend, Tom is doing well and we are occasionally in touch, the rest of the bunch are pretty much the same as always.

St. Vincent's Coleman's Pavilion was finally torn down only to have construction of a new taller luxury apartment tower begin in it's place something I know you would have not liked,…. Ray's Pizza has closed for good with no knowledge of what will replace it and the building was sold, Our (eyesore) Nico's Magazine store has also closed and Bird Bath Bakery a subsidiary of City Bakery has signed the lease and that should be a much welcomed change, I think you would approve nothing like the fragrance of fresh baked bread in the air specially here in our beloved village…. Who knows maybe the changes that are occurring will have more of a positive impact on the neighborhood.

Well my darling as much as I would love to think that I'm talking with you I must accept the facts and keep pretending that I just spoke with you and I will make believe I just held you in my arms and received a most wonderful hug and kiss goodnight from you.

Yours always and until the next time,

Felipe

.......That light remained throughout your life.

Felipe Marrero

February 6, 2013

Philip, there was a Light in your eyes and smile when you were young .......

Felipe Marrero

February 6, 2013

My Dear Darling,
While I know that It has now been 3-1/2 years since you left I always feel you are here with me by my side, it is a comfort really when I pretend that we are smiling and laughing at things together even though it is still hard to believe it's been so long.
Today would have been your 67th. Birthday and I will celebrate and toast your memory.
You are the constant in my soul and today even more than ever, I miss you so very much, everything I do is always gauged with you in mind as my gold standard, nothing will ever change that.
As I sit here at your desk as I always do in the morning, I wanted to tell you that I've been observing something you would have enjoyed, looking out of one of the west facing windows I've noticed that The Coleman Pavilion of St. Vincent's Hospital, that Tall nondescript brown brick building that irritated us so when it was erected back in 1981 is being demolished, thankfully restoring even though temporarily, the uninterrupted view of the sky. It can hardly be seen now protruding above the brownstones across the street, something I know you liked before as I'm sure would make you happy today, so today on your day there is a bright blue sky with sparse puffy white clouds in its place.
Looking south there's the glimpse of your beloved Jefferson Market Garden which recently lost two large threes those are being replaced, the garden, while closed for winter is as beautiful as when you strolled peacefully in it.
Everywhere I go, everything I see and everyone I speak to reminds me so of you, it is a sad and yet marvelous feeling at the same time.
I accept what is and cannot change that, but know that those feelings are invaluable and sustaining.
Oh Armstrong, what I wouldn't give to just embrace you even if for just a moment,...... I'll just pretend.
Until next time my Darling.
Yours,
Felipe

Devilish Armstrong with Mita & Eva, 2002

Felipe Marrero

August 14, 2012

Roses for you my Darling, 8/13/2012

Felipe Marrero

August 14, 2012

Philip with Felipe & Rob Anderson 6/18/2005

Felipe Marrero

August 14, 2012

Iveta & Philip walking on 11th. street towards the Hudson River 5/7/2005

Felipe Marrero

August 14, 2012

Philip & Iveta, May 7, 2005

Felipe Marrero

August 14, 2012

Your smile, 2000

Felipe Marrero

August 14, 2012

P. having a great day at our house, 2000

Felipe Marrero

August 14, 2012

Philip & Adele in 2000

Felipe Marrero

August 14, 2012

Philip at 13 years old, 1959

Felipe Marrero

August 14, 2012

White Roses in your Honor, 08/13/2012

August 13, 2012

Your Beautiful Hair, 1966

August 13, 2012

Felipe & Philip @ 1966

August 13, 2012

My Dearest Heart,
On this eve of the third year of your leaving it has been specially hard for me.
Against all logic, I'm still somehow thinking that you will walk in through the door with your beautiful smiling face and all would be fine again.
Oh how I miss you my darling, nothing is complete or whole without you and I realize it never will be.
I was going through some things and I smelled your scent on your clothes I dreamt and reminisced of the casual hellos and goodbye glad hugs and peck kisses we shared, every good morning every goodnight, every time we would reunite even after just going to the store or your going for a walk, what I wouldn't give for one of those moments again when you would look at me directly into my soul with those big beautiful crystal blue luminous dazzling eyes.
Yes I am very sad tonight and very lonesome for you.
Sometimes I wake up and for a brief moment I feel that you are there in your bed next to mine only to no response.
Yes we were one and now I'm not even half of that without you.
Darling I am Ok, I smile a lot I talk to you and to my self and definitely laugh out loud at the silliest of things as if we were sharing the moment, I know it sounds crazy but it is a comfort, I know you know what I mean just like when we didn't need to speak to each other but we knew what we were each thinking and would laugh out loud in recognition of that fact.
We were truly singular in every sense of the word......
Thank you for the best 43 years of superb memories my darling....What a life we had....All because of you.....It was beyond love at first sight.
Who would have thought we would be separated so soon.
You were so special you made an indelible impression on everyone that met you, your demeanor, your very being touched all, and all of those persons that I still come in contact with even if they have not seen you for years still remember you fondly, and the ones that were close and knew you well miss you so very dearly.
As for me you will always be my strength and inspiration.
I Love you Armstrong till my dying breath.
Felipe

Wendy

August 10, 2012

This will be the third anniversary of your death darling boy. You are most dreadfully missed.

3/22/2009, Darling, of all the people that loved you Wendy was the only one I was never jealous of, I know she was very special to you as to me.

February 6, 2012

3/22/2009, Wendy & Philip 4-1/2 months before his passing.

February 6, 2012

2/06/2012, Even jefferson market Library shed it's renovation skin in time for your birthday.

Felipe Marrero

February 6, 2012

2/06/2012, Darling your Orchids are blooming again in time for your birthday.

Felipe Marrero

February 6, 2012

2/06/2012, Philip, Wendy brought these Lilies for your birthday.

Felipe Marrero

February 6, 2012

Felipe Marrero

February 6, 2012

My Dearest Armstrong,
Knowing that today would mark what would have been your Sixty Sixth birthday, I am sad that we lost you 2-1/2 years ago but at the same time I am so grateful that you graced my life and shared your all with me, you are the reason I can say I am, for you showed me untouchable values that will always make you my reason for continuing to move forward what ever that means?
I want to tell you so much, much more than I do in my thoughts and by writing to you is the closest to speaking with you and expressing how much I love you.
My, darling, I miss you and know that you are and will always be everything to me.
Yours,
Felipe

"Cool Philip and his Shadow" looking into infinity on a calm day at Battery Park, NY 2005.

Felipe Marrero

September 5, 2011

Philip on West 11th. street, spring of 2005

Felipe Marrero

September 5, 2011

The Tree's bed w/ P's plaque on W. 11th. St. NY, strangely that the parked Red Bike has not been moved in four days as if a "Sentinel" for you.

Felipe Marrero

September 5, 2011

A closer look at the tree's bed with Philip's plaque.

Felipe Marrero

September 5, 2011

Closer look at the plaques's setting.

Felipe Marrero

September 5, 2011

Detail of the Plaque 09/05/11

Felipe Marrero

September 5, 2011

Philip's Memorial plaque on a tree bed, west 11th. Street.

Felipe Marrero

September 5, 2011

Felipe Marrero

September 5, 2011

Dearest Philip,
Thinking of you today on what is the second year after your Memorial Service, I finally got to Honor You with a "Trees New York" Memorial Plaque and I trust you'll find it modest but nobly befitting.
Everyone misses you darling, but no more than I ever could.
Yours,
Felipe

August 13, 2011

Dearest Armstrong,
I'm sitting here sad and lonely thinking about you on this eve of your second year of passing.
I miss you so terribly much, there isn't a minute that you are not present in my thoughts.
I walk the streets as I do things and I laugh out loud literally at things that I in my mind think you would find amusing as if I was looking at life through your eyes, it gives me strength to laugh as if I was sharing the laughter with you, of-course reality sets in and I meander on content in the solace of the moment.
I meet old acquaintances and they are in disbelief still and they miss you so much as well.
Walter, our neighbor across the street, the other day paid us a major compliment he said we were exemplary and inspiring, this appreciation from a really nice straight man, go figure ?
You were indeed very, very special, the better of the halves.
So much to say, but I will tell you more in my prayers.
Always yours my darling,
Felipe