LG Loses a Member of its Family (Flo'z tribute added to the OP)

MIMLaker · Posted: Sun Dec 21, 2008 8:33 am Post subject:

Whoa.

Haven't posted much recently, so just caught this this morning.

Sincere prayers for him and his family. May Heaven grant them healing, comfort, and strength... and one day, a joyful reunion.

When we celebrate another Laker championship, let's be sure to raise our glasses an extra time... in honor of absent friends.

MIM
_________________
Keep or Dump Power Rankings (4/12/23):
1 - Bron; 1a - AD; 2 - Reaves; 2a - DLo; 3 - Vando; 4 - Rui; 5 - Shroo; 6 - Christie; 7- Brown; 8 - Gabriel; 9 - Beas; 10 - Bamba; 11- Lonnie

dubaholic1 · Posted: Sun Dec 21, 2008 9:25 am Post subject:

Phil and I shared a few funny moments here.

I am shocked by the news of his passing.

Life is such a fragile thing.

Bye, Phil.

FaxData · Posted: Sun Dec 21, 2008 9:28 am Post subject:

we knew him too briefly, r.i.p. phil. he had done a lot for this site to ensure its continual success.
_________________
The mind is not a vessel to be filled but a fire to be kindled. - Plutarch

Magic'sSon · Starting Rotation Joined: 09 Oct 2005 Posts: 817

Man o man

R.I.P Phil

REPPIN 818 · Star Player Joined: 17 Jun 2007 Posts: 5251

Shocking news. Didn't really have any correspondence with him, but I appreciate all that he's done for the site.

Goodbye, Phil.

Free_Kobe · Posted: Sun Dec 21, 2008 10:05 am Post subject:

But my hand was made strong
By the 'and of the Almighty.
We forward in this generation
Triumphantly.

Bless his Soul!
_________________
♪ ♫One good thing about music, when it hits, you feel no pain...
So hit me with music! ♪ ♫

ribeye · Franchise Player Joined: 10 Nov 2001 Posts: 12630

Wow. Phil. Of all the members . . .

I remember, way back when, way back when LG allowed us political types such as Fatsam and Lakers2000 and many others to get carried away with our rants. Phil, then, as always, was thoughtful, insightful, level headed and never mean spirited. When I was having some problems with my oldest daughter, he gave me some wonderful advise.

The world lost a good man.
_________________
"A metronome keeps time by using a Ringo"

kaoss128 · Posted: Sun Dec 21, 2008 10:06 am Post subject:

Wow, I'm in complete and total disbelief. It really makes you realize you have to take advantage of every moment you have because you never know when it may be your last. My condolences go out to Phil's family.

R.I.P. Phil

LarryCoon · Site Staff Joined: 11 Aug 2002 Posts: 11265

Phil was a connector -- a conduit who brought others together, and helped them out in any way he could. His contribution to LG is one example of that. In addition to bringing people information through his posts (I don't remember ever seeing him engage in an argument about anything), he immediately stepped up when Jason was ready to sell LG, and accepted the challenge of continuing in Jason's footsteps. Even the sale of the site helped others -- the money went not to Jason, but to UCSD, where a scholarship was set up in the name of LakersGround. If any of you ever want to pursue a career as a pharmacist at UCSD and apply for financial aid, you just might be the beneficiary of Phil's and Jason's altruism.

Phil & I probably exchanged about 100 emails & PMs during the transition, talking about how to run the site, how to fix the problems, and how to move it forward. We disagreed on a lot of things, but he always listened with an open mind, and changed his opinion when it was warranted. He was a complete neophyte when it came to server technology, but he knew where he needed help, trusted others when appropriate, and did his best to learn about all this foreign technology.

Phil also quickly realized that he wasn't the right person to manage LG long term. There were a lot of tough decisions to make, and sometimes any choice would end up pissing somebody off. He took it all very, very personally, and pretty quickly realized that both LG and his sanity would be better off if it were in someone else's hands. He did his best to ensure that the site went to the right hands, and I think everyone will agree that his choice of DB was the right one.

Phil's non-LG life reflected the same passion and commitment as his LG life. He was heavily involved in the Obama campaign for the last year, and was ecstatic about Obama's victory and the prospects for the new administration. He was continuing his work with the transition team, and was planning to be at the inauguration next month.

Phil career was as a marriage and family counselor (again...helping others), and was excited about a project that was starting up to help Marines and their families at the 29 Palms Air to Ground Combat Center, which is close to where he lived in Joshua Tree. He was also very passionate about Joshua Tree National Park, and said he may have been Obama's top authority on the park.

My daughter and I go camping in JT once a year, and Phil & I were both looking forward to going on a hike together. Sadly, it'll have to be without him.

Rest in peace, Phil. You touched a lot of lives in a lot of ways, and just as we were all better off through your presence, we'll all be a little worse off through your absence.

wolfpaclaker · Retired Number Joined: 29 May 2002 Posts: 58336

I've been in shock since getting the news last night. Thought he was recovering from the accident, not on his death bed. Took the night to really get my head back on straight.

Just sad. I'm not good with words with this sort of stuff, thankfully Larry put in the much needed post about how great Phil was.

Would say I'm a better guy on LG because of him.

He'll be missed. Seems like we all lost a real friend.

doven · Star Player Joined: 20 Jul 2008 Posts: 3321

Wow that was shocking.

Hes one of my favorite poster.

May he R.I.P.

Omar Little · Posted: Sun Dec 21, 2008 11:40 am Post subject:

Wow... I only got to know Phil a bit after he announced he was transferring the site to DB to pursue a worthy political cause. I PM'd him to find out what he was working on, and much to my delight, he shared some of his passion about Obama's campaign with me, something I shared and was also involved with, albeit at a much smaller level. We sent a few messages of encouragement to each other, as well as some congratulations, some of which spilled over into posts to each other on the board.

I can't say I knew Phil, but I was happy to at least have "met" him here. It will certainly take some of the joy out of the inauguration, knowing he won't be seeing it. I will, however, pour an extra glass of champagne for him in our little celebration.

I will shut up now, and leave with just a little something for Phil:

Cold Snap

Winter sometimes comes early
Just when you were enjoying
The glory of a mild autumn

After a productive summer
You were just settling down
For a well deserved rest

You were a beautiful creation
With blooms that all around you
thought were so incredibly beautiful

Now your frozen and lifeless leaves
Remind us how the seasons
Can be so abruptly cruel

When the snow melts and the ice thaws
We shall plant our own flower
One that we hope looks a little like you
_________________
“We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.” ― Elie Wiesel

sinr1 · Star Player Joined: 27 Oct 2007 Posts: 1283

Wasnt he One of the people who got us a new LG server not to long ago? He was a really cool guy who will be missed. I was in a serious car accident 2 years ago and am still feeling the affects. I cringed at the thought of poor Phil when I read this..... May god bless his soul

raffi · LG Contributor Joined: 24 Jun 2005 Posts: 9987

Very sad news . . . what a tragedy.

My condolences go out to his family and friends.

GonzagaAlum · Star Player Joined: 09 Dec 2005 Posts: 3021

We in a computer sim league called the XNBA got to know Phil well while he was a GM with us. He was an honorable man. He along with Dr. Zuc were the two leaders in getting members from this online community to be apart of it. He'll be missed, but I'm quite confident he is in the best of all places now.
_________________
How can I get a copy of a Laker game played on Sunday, March 11, 2001 Sonics/Lakers? If you know PM me please

I would be willing to pay you for it.

Downunder · Starting Rotation Joined: 17 Oct 2005 Posts: 309

So sad

R.I.P. Phil

The Nugget · Posted: Sun Dec 21, 2008 12:43 pm Post subject:

Some of us members from Lakerstalk.net held BBQ's and a basketball game somewhere local in Los Angeles.

For those who didn't meet the man personally, here are a few pictures so you can put a face to the man. These pictures of Phil were taken from the late T.I.

Phil is wearing the purple tee...

http://img95.imageshack.us/img95/6348/whereditgodi8.jpg

http://img167.imageshack.us/img167/8954/valianttryom4.jpg

http://img187.imageshack.us/img187/817/splitsthedzm1.jpg

Jim.

8750 · Posted: Sun Dec 21, 2008 12:44 pm Post subject:

Phil, we'll miss you

KobeChinaMan · Star Player Joined: 17 Aug 2008 Posts: 1223

Damn Phil and TI gone. It felt like just yesterday i was talking with them on lakertalk.net

F.N.G. · Starting Rotation Joined: 19 Dec 2005 Posts: 533

Wow, what a tragedy and huge loss.

My thoghts and prayers go out to his family and friends.

R.I.P. Phil

BLP711 · Posted: Sun Dec 21, 2008 2:55 pm Post subject:

We'll miss you Phil.

My condolences go out to his family and friends.

Rest In Peace brother

Mike@LG · Posted: Sun Dec 21, 2008 3:05 pm Post subject:

Phil, I'll miss you, personally.

I'll never forget the words of encouragement; not just with writing, but my personal life as well.

Rest in Peace.
_________________
Resident Car Nut.

https://lakersdraft.substack.com/

I am not an economic advisor nor do I advise economic strategies or plans.

Rick12322 · Franchise Player Joined: 27 Jun 2005 Posts: 19164

I always liked Phil, I hope God comforts his loved ones.

Endure 12 · Posted: Sun Dec 21, 2008 3:33 pm Post subject:

I only know of him but realise the influence he had on this community. My prays are with his family,

RIP

SoCal88 · Star Player Joined: 11 Apr 2001 Posts: 7486