Philip sans shirt.  We think...



 

It started in the tough, class-driven environment of suburban school life, where Philip transcended every boundary.  He befriended everyone, and defiantly branded his own wild definition of ‘cool’.  He had a personality and an image completely unlike any other, and before anyone could make sense of it, he had already re-invented it twice...

"Phil never carried the stuck-up, self-centered aura that was the order of the day at our school.  Within minutes of meeting him, you could plainly see that he was simply on a quest to have as much fun as possible in one lifetime, and no matter who or what you were, he was inviting you to join him."  -Len

Years later, Philip had identified this outgoing personality as one (albeit large) part of his multi-faceted mind.  When a co-worker at his restaurant job scrawled the name 'Philthy' onto his nametag as a joke, he smiled knowingly - this alter-ego of his now had a name of it's own. 

"Philthy Phil is me, because it's totally invented in my head, but there's more sides to me than just this.  There's Philip Edwards, Master Illusionist; there's 'Phil the asshole waiter who never shows up on time for work'; there's 'Phil I can't believe it's sooo big'...  Does this mean I'm schitzo?"  -Philip, circa 1995

Through this persona, Philip lived every day like there was no tomorrow.  This is part of why he made such an indelible mark on the world around him.  Although he may have died young, he certainly lived every day that was given to him.

Credits: Leonard & Cassandra Marzigliano, Hoard & Irene Katz, Renee McGrail and Jennifer Katz