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Philip Learned Obituary
Elmira: June 30, 1932-August 5, 2011
Philip was stricken very suddenly with a massive heart attack at his beloved Keuka Lake cabin on August 5, 2011. He died immediately and his organs were donated to the Organ Bank. Philip was born to Norman J. Learned and Alise Yeats Brown Learned in Elmira NY. He graduated from Staunton Military Academy in Staunton, Virginia, Colgate Univ. and Univ. of Virginia Law School. He served as a Pilot in the US Air Force, Strategic Air Command at Barksdale Air Force Base in Shreveport LA., flying B-47 Bombers,('54-'57) where he met the love of his life, Patricia (Patsy) Brennan. They were married in June, 1957 in Shreveport, LA after a whirlwind courtship having met at a Cotillion Club "after party" at the Officer's Club at Barksdale Air Force Base. They enjoyed 50 years of marriage together. Philip is predeceased by his parents, his wife Patsy and his brother N. Jackson (Jack) Learned, II.
Philip is survived by his two children, Alise Learned Mahr (Bill) and Norman Jackson Learned, III. Both were born in Charlottesville, VA where Philip attended U.VA. Law School. Both reside in Elmira NY. Also surviving are his grandchildren, Amanda Brennan Mahr, (London, England), Margaret Anne Mahr, (Ithaca, NY) Philip Carleton Learned, II (U S Army) and Carl Mathew Learned. (Elmira NY); Sister in Law, Suzanne Allen Learned and her two sons, Scott Learned, Esq. (Mary Pat) (Elmira, NY) and Gregg Learned of Hammondsport NY (Bully Hill Vineyard Winemaker): Penny Brown Spooner (Andrew) of Oakville Canada, Brother in Law, Vincent S. Brennan (Gloria) from Shreveport LA., along with several nieces and nephews. Philip began his 50 year legal career at Sayles & Evans, and then moved to the Ziff, Weiermiller, Learned & Hayden for the next 23 years. In 1985 he began his partnership with Learned, Reilly, Learned & Hughes until present. Philip also served from 1964 until 1970 as the Town of Elmira Town Justice. Philip was a long standing member of the Elmira Downtown Health Club where he served as President. He also served as Board President of the Alcohol Drug Abuse Council. Family and friends are invited to McInerny Funeral Home, corner of W. Water and Walnut Sts., on Tuesday, August 9, 2011 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Military honors will be held at the funeral home at the conclusion of calling hours. Donations can be made to the Chemung County Historical Society in Elmira and the Glen H. Curtiss Museum, 8419 State Route 54, Hammondsport, NY 14840. Flowers are graciously declined.
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Memories and Condolences
for Philip Learned
Fall 2009 Moving-Away party for the May's given by Phil & Peg on Hilton Head.
Gene Guswiler
September 1, 2011
A picture we'll remember Phil by - the going away get-together he and Peg held at his home on Hilton Head for Bobbi & Russ May. Good times together.
Cathy White
August 23, 2011
Alise, Bill, Amanda and Maggie - I was so sorry to hear of Phil's passing.
Liz and I are thinking of your family and sending our thoughts.
May you find peace and joy in the wonderful memories you are left with.
August 17, 2011
Alise and Norm, I am very sorry to hear of your Dad's passing. He was a great family friend, engaging personality and generous to all around him. Rich Smith
Kathleen DiLaura
August 13, 2011
I am so sorry to hear of Phil's passing. I worked for him in the early 80's when he was with the Ziff firm. He was so good natured and kind. My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this difficult time.
Kathleen Kennedy DiLaura
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August 12, 2011
So sorry to hear of Phil"s passing. My family knew him well when he was in the law offices of Bert Ziff. My brother Irving Berthod did his masonary work until he could do it no more! I remember Phil, sitting in my parents' kithen eating mothers' apple pie and having coffee. He was a lawyer that didn't make you feel like a client, but a close friend. Betty Berthod Austin
Tammyjo Smith
August 11, 2011
I am in shock. Phil was my attorney and a great one at that but he was also my friend. He had a way of making a bad day a good one no matter how bad it was. When his wife passed and I sent him a card he made a point to personally call me and say Thank you and we had talks after that about how she was his best friend. Well now God has called him home to his best friends side once again. And all though we will only be able to hold his fond memories of jokes, laughter and his wonderful Heart of Gold May you all find comfort in knowing God Has reunited him with His life love and Best friend. God Bless and Comfort all of you during this time of loss.
martie decker
August 10, 2011
phil was an awesome man!everyone that knew him knew he was agreat man!he was friends with my great great grandparents then down to my parents and ive met him and hes helped me through acouple situations!when i hurd the horrible news my knees went tumbling down to the floor!!he will always be remembered as a very good good man!my prayers are with his family and friends!!!!!god bless you all
Donnie Kline
August 10, 2011
Alise and Family, May God be with you all during your time of sorrow. Donnie Kline, EFA class of 76
Dick Murphy
August 10, 2011
I was saddened to hear about Phil's passing. Phil and I grew up together in Elmira, and he, Dick Austin, Bob Smith, and I comprised a regular golf foursome at the Elmira Country Club in the early 1950s. After many years apart, Phil and I reconnected via email recently and swapped memories of our exploits on the links during that period. Please accept my sincere condolences on your loss. May God bless and keep you, and give you peace.
Christine Antenore
August 10, 2011
Alise and Norm, Please know my thoughts and prayers are with you are with you at this time of sudden loss, and your extended family Scott (you were always there for me). Remember Norm, we all hope to see you very soon and are all praying for you, remember you are not alone!
melinee miller
August 10, 2011
hello everybody we are sad to hear about Phillips passing from tony, melinee and steven miller, Valerie Van Zile and family
Carol Kennedy McCarthy
August 9, 2011
Your dad was my first crush. Lots of good memories with the Kennedy/Learned shenanigans. He will be missed.
Chris Laughlin
August 9, 2011
You will be greatly missed. You were a great attorney and a great friend. Thanks for everything.
Chris and Dana Laughlin
Joni Wrenn
August 9, 2011
Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved one today and always.
Sandy Neydl
August 9, 2011
Alise, Willie, Amanda and Maggie,
We were saddened to hear of Phil's passing. We will keep you close in our hearts and prayers. There are so many things that we could say about Phil. He never failed to make us laugh or shake our heads in disbelief. Our fondest memories of Phil (and Patsy)are times spent at the cottage and the cabin. We may just plant a fruit tree in his memory beside a grapevine for Patsy.
Phil loved many...and was loved by many. We will miss him!
Love,
Sandy and Russ
Marie Dean
August 9, 2011
I am so very sorry for your loss. Phil was my comp lawyer since 2004, and was always good to me, and looked out for me. He was more than happy to give me advice on other things more than once, and he always made me smile. He was a wonderful person, and I'm just at a loss of words to hear this sad news. May God watch over all of you, and may the memories make you smile and get you through this sad time. My deepest sympathy.
Nancy Dunham
August 9, 2011
Alise, Please accept my deepest sympathies for the loss of your dad. Your mom and dad were both one of a kind. They contributed so much to so many in the community and will be sorely missed.
Karena Bailey
August 9, 2011
Alise and Bill
very sadden to hear the news - you are in my prayers
Nanette Wood
August 9, 2011
Norm, my thoughts and prayers are with you.
Roxane Joris
Roxane Joris
August 9, 2011
I am so deeply sorry for your loss. May God watch over each and everyone of you and help in this time of need. Phil was a great Lawyer and will be deeply missed.
Gene Guswiler
August 9, 2011
Knew Phil only at Hilton Head Island. Enjoyed his company and especially being his tennis partner. I know everyone at HHI will miss his humor and his friendship. Sharon and I extend our deepest sympathy to his family at this most difficult time.
Lynn Raymond
August 8, 2011
To Norm and Family: I am so sorry to hear of your loss. My prayers are with you and your family at this sad time in your lives. Your dad will be back with your mom now. May God Bless You All!
Lynn Raymond
Lailoni Capozzi
August 8, 2011
Norm, I am so sorry to read of your loss. I have tried to contact you before reading this with no luck, I want you to know you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Kimberley McConnell Arroyo
August 8, 2011
I was so sorry to learn of Phil's passing. He was one of a kind in the very best sense. I'll never forget my Field Period at LR&L and then getting to see Phil after I graduated from law school. He will be missed.
shiela Stahle
August 8, 2011
so sorry for your loss..Philwas a great person and a great lawyer...i had him back in the 70s. he will be missed..
Roger and Bonnie Walton
August 8, 2011
To the family of Phil. We would like to extend our greatest sympathy to your family. He was much more than a great attorney. He deeply cared about his clients and always watched out for their best interests. He was our family's attorney for many years. But more important, he was also our friend. He will be sadly missed by us all. With our deepest sympathy, Roger and Bonnie Walton
Spencer Ash
August 8, 2011
I am a young attorney who only knew Phil briefly through my work on two cases I had with him. Though we were on opposite sides of the aisle, Phil was a kind, gracious, professional, warm and a gentleman through and through. He shared stories about his life and practice, and made paying out on questionable cases a pleasant experience. I am truly saddened by the news of his passing. However, I am heartened by the fact that this very good man was called home at the one of the places he enjoyed most, with his famiy nearby. He will live on in my memory and the memories of so many others, including the fortunate individuals receiving his organs. God bless and keep you always.
Nikki (Woods) Mulligan
August 8, 2011
Alise, Bill, Amanda and Maggie - My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. Although it's difficult today to see beyond the sorrow, May looking back at your memories help comfort you tomorrow. Miss you all ~
Shelby Kotch
August 8, 2011
My thoughts and prayers are with you. What a wonderful and caring (and so funny) gentleman. He will be greatly missed. May your many memories bring you peace and comfort during this time.
Jane Gublo
August 8, 2011
we will all miss you and the things we talk about all the years we joked and picked (loved ya like A dad )AND THIRE YOU HAVE IT.
Peggy Buzzetti
August 8, 2011
Norm - Sincere sympathy on the passing of your Dad.
KATHI AMES
August 8, 2011
so sorry for your loss.wish i could be there to help out.will miss daddy phil in so many ways,he was a one of a kind.love ya KATHI AMES
Cristina Hartman
August 8, 2011
Phil was a great lawyer! He came home from his vacation to take care of my case last week! He would always fight for what was right! Phil you will be greatly missed!
Lori Roblyer
August 8, 2011
Phil will be so missed . He was a great man and a great friend and always made us laugh . We love all of you and send strength your way in this most difficult time . Lori , Tony , Matt & Jeff
Debbie Ostrander
August 8, 2011
Dear Alise-So sorry to hear about your Dad-My thoughts and prayers are with you in this difficult time. May God keep you in the palm of his hand and hold you close.
Theron Andrews
August 8, 2011
Please accept my deepest sympathies.
August 7, 2011
Phil, you will be greatly missed at the downtown health club during lunch hour. Your humor set the pace for the lunch hour. You where one of a kind. Thanks Phil for being part of our lives. We will never forget you.
Your Friends,
Digsey,Chiefey,
Next, Prince
and Fumes
Toni & Joe Hansmeyer
August 7, 2011
We spent quite a few years sharing our favorite place in Mexico, Akumal, with Phil. We will miss him during football games. while playing ping pong or volleyball, and he was always up for a game of tennis. But, we especially will miss his friendship...
Maria Militello and family
August 7, 2011
Alise and Family, So sorry to hear about your Dad's passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. May the memories you hold dear bring you comfort in the days ahead. Please let me know if there is anything I can do.
Beth Murray
August 7, 2011
Alise, so sorry to hear about your dad. Thinking of you and your family at this difficult time.
Sebastian & Penny Damiata
August 7, 2011
We spent several years sharing our vacation time in Mexico in Phil's company. His personality was larger than life, and he was so young at heart - always ready for a ping pong game or a fishing trip. We will miss his walks along the stone wall, with his frequent stops to fill us in on an amusing story (for he had the gift of gab, too!). We will miss him this winter, but will fondly remember him with a toast to the setting sun in his memory.
August 7, 2011
Few have had the privilege of working at LR&L and especially having a office across from Phil. You knew the minute he entered the building. It has been many years but I thought of him often and his "words of wisdom". Always happy, generous and dedicated. I am sad to hear the news. I appreciate everything he taught me. His family and firm were so fortunate to have him in their lives. You all are in my prayers. Lerch!
Wendy Six, RDH
August 7, 2011
So sorry to hear of Phil's passing. My thoughts are with you all at this time.
August 7, 2011
so sorry to here about phillip.he will be missed by so meany.mike w.
Peter Tyra
August 7, 2011
Sorry to here about Phil. I enjoyed him & his sense of humor, at the club.I'll say a pray for him.
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