After a wonderful tribute yesterday on Zoom, a moving and delightful set of comments, so much of what I feel has been said and more than once. My feelings of solidarity with Phil were made stronger than ever by that, and I thank everyone who contributed.  I am of the generation of food co-op activists of the 1970s and 1980s; our movement benefited from Phil's astute analysis in his dissertation on "the co-op difference"; its theme could be rendered as how to maintain democratic and collective values in cooperative enterprise; and that theme also encompassed my own career as an editor and networker for the food co-op sector. Phil, the Co-op Bank gadfly, wrote reports I presented in "Moving Food" for a national audience, and he liked my bio there: "Phil Kreitner comes from a working class background and likes big words." We both liked to play with words and also to play intense games of handball (a truly ambidextrous workout, like that rowing machine, or swimming, or dancing!) -- followed of course by intense conversatons. In Phil I recognized someone I thought of as "an intellectual jock" -- is there a Jewish word for such a character? Along with superb massages and shared meals and more, Phil and Eliza Strode were among my closest friends during an all-too-brief period in the Boston area. He had a big impact on me, as he did on many. We are all humbled and diminished by his death, but we have been remarkably enriched and enlargened by his life.

Kua hinga te totara i te wao nui tane

The totara has fallen in the forest of tane

The totara is huge a tree that grows for hundreds of years....

Sherrill, we are so sorry for your loss, and will always miss Phil. Today's memorial on his birthday Nov 28th was just a wonderful tribute and a chance to hear and see all the people he has touched in his remarkable life. 

We continue to find the sawdust in our shop from his reclaimed Presidio wood he made tables from, and the lovely tables we got in exchange for those years. He and Skye were great fun to watch, and especially when they helped me battle bamboo surrounding the shop, and you helping me take the tops to feed the Zoo elephants. 

We so enjoyed our dinners and happy hours together, with some pine cone pickup sometimes when at our house, and his lovely wedding gifts from wood he salvaged from our yard. It was great fun to head up to Cascade Locks with him to purchase fresh caught salmon, and David was so happy to provide salmon for his big birthday bash and meet all his other friends and family. He continued to have his famous twinkle in his eyes and smile, and bear hug as we met up when his dementia had progressed, though we had lost his verbal wit. He is/was a special spirit and so glad you shared him with us. Your stamina and love was amazing as you and he faced these past years, and you made a safe and secure home for him as he slipped away. Thank you and wishing you time to rest, with wonderful memories always.    Jeanene and David 

Phil was a special "birthday friend" to me, as we share November 28 birth dates. That tied us together in a warm and wonderful way, although I saw him only once a year at a professional meeting that Sherril and I both attend.  Even late in his illness, Phil always greeted me as his birthday buddy. Very special.

I have a favorite quote from a woman featured in an NPR story. She was decorating her house for Christmas in honor of her parents, who had died not long before. She said, "The best way to honor those who are gone is to live and be happy, because that is what they would want.” 

Sure enough, this morning I heard from Sherril wishing me a happy birthday! My birthday will include a toast to Phil, and I'll do my best to enjoy the day.  I'm sure that is what he would want.

Happy Birthday, Phil!  Warmly,  Linda

I think of Phil with fond memories and tears in my eyes. I was introduced to Phil as his caregiver in 2018 and we became friends quickly. He was such a warm pleasure to be with. We took long walks and as we walked, Sherril asked me to hold his hand. He was so kind and had a warmth that he exuded that brought joy to each moment with him.  Whether to a museum or on a new hike suggestion, or to a dance or community craft event; Phil always had a "yes, whatever you would like to do" as his answer.  We had so much fun dancing! I always sent photos to Sherril and an occasional video, so she could see his smile! 

I can not say enough about the love that I saw between Sherril and Phil! Sherril took wonderful care of Phil, from organic foods to his apple packed each day and an idea for hikes or events he would enjoy or trees he would like to see. Phil knew the Latin names for each one and enjoyed the green open spaces for playing catch! Phil enjoyed both the sunny days and the rainy ones too. I could always expect a big bear hug from him. We can all learn a lot from Phil!! 

What a pleasure it has been to be a part of their lives. Thank you Sherril for your great kindness to me and for the gift of your friendship and precious memories. 

Annette Creekmore