Philip Cooke "Phil" Sayres Jr.

Essex - Philip "Phil" Cooke Sayres Jr. died Aug. 3, 2025, while vacationing with his family in Idaho. He left his wife, Starr Ellsworth; two daughters, Aurelie Sayres of Oregon and Minta Watson (Matthew) of Bermuda; and three grandchildren, Isabella, Emma and James. He is survived by his sister, Barbara Williams (Staunton); his niece, Jennifer O'Leary (Kevin); and nephew, Timothy. He is also survived by his beloved sister-in-law, Ann-Toy Ellsworth Broughton (Porter); and brother-in-law, Timothy Ellsworth (Janet). He was predeceased by his mother, Ruth Hopwood; and his father Philip C. Sayres of Old Lyme.

Phil attended the Westminster School, Boston University and the University of Hartford.

Phil was a gifted builder and carpenter who loved working with his hands and had an affinity for like-minded people. In his early married life, he set about building a home for his family learning the trades by seeking the knowledge and experience of others and reading "how to" books. He had a talent for inventing a better way to do things, and developing new systems and tools was among his greatest joys. He willingly shared his knowledge as chair of the building committee for a large school renovation project in East Haddam.

Phil loved the creatures of the wild, celebrating the arrival of bats each evening, and could often be heard summoning the owls or chatting with the turkeys. His friends knew him as "Country." He adored his children and grandchildren happily accommodating rides on the backhoe, floating makeshift boats in the brook or sledding on a winter's afternoon.

An avid skier and lover of symphony, opera and fine art, Phil was a steadfast gentleman to his last day. And no one ever made a better gin and tonic!

A private family gravesite gathering will be set at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Hartford Symphony, 166 Capitol Avenue, Hartford, CT 06106, or to the Lyme Art Association, 90 Lyme Street, Old Lyme, CT 06371.