I take this opportunity to thank the many persons from near and far who have gone out of their way to express condolences on the passing of my brother, Howard Wilfred Philip, at age 86.

Last rites for Howard were held in Dayton, Ohio where he migrated decades ago seeking broader horizons.

The service at Wayman AME Church opened with the hymn My home is built on nothing less than Jesus Christ and Rightousness.

The Philip family was well represented with my Atlanta-based niece, Doilene Philip, a qualified mortician in her own right, engaging as the matriarch of the clan. She read the scripture and her cousin, Brandon Wallace, invoked the prayers. Tributes were given by Bermudian Hattie Bean Bankston and Willie Clemons, the husband of Bermudian Barbara Bascome. Fredrick Wright spoke on behalf of the Ohio AME district. Allen Attaway read a resolution from the AME church, hailing Howard’s decades-long interest and service to the church.

The Philip family has been long established in Ohio. My sister, Myra Alice, attended Wilberforce University. She graduated and married fellow Wilberforcian Earl Wallace, and raised their family. She was a support for many persons including new students and other Bermudians who moved to Ohio for education and otherwise. Among them was her sister Roseline Philip Darrell.

Twice-married Howard is survived by Randy, the son of his first marriage to Constance Fox. Immediate survivors include Randy’s daughter Brandy and her two daughters, and stepson Michael and his son.