REMEMBRANCE….His Life & Legacy

What comes to your mind when you remember Phil?  Was it the charming smile with a glint in his eyes, or the witty comment followed by a hearty laugh?  Let us take a moment to reflect on Phil's life, because when you have lived over 90 years, there is so much more to recount to truly celebrate a life well lived and so full of service to others.  Phillip Talbot was a hardworking and dedicated family man, full of vim and vigor, raising a family, while working, participating in social activities, athletics, and education, always striving to better himself and others.

Phillip Talbot was born in Roseau, Dominica, to Emanuel and Grace (Felix) Talbot.  As a child Phil loved school.  He would get up at the crack of dawn, bathe in the river and walk to school, nourished, clean and pressed.  In those days, he was one of the only boys with shoes on his feet, which he credits to the fact that his dad was a shoemaker.  His father Emmanuel and mother Grace provided a loving home for Phil and his younger brother Frank.  Phil spoke of a happy childhood playing with his homemade wooden spin tops and trucks, wanting for nothing.  When he came home from school, he enjoyed teaching his baby brother Frank how to read and write and about all the other wonders of his day at school.   He proudly accompanied his brother Frank on his very first day of school.  He viewed learning as an adventure and education as power.   In his teenage years after his family moved to Curacao, Phil attended trade school and became a welder for Shell Oil refinery.   After Shell pulled out of Curacao, Phil took the opportunity to migrate to America.  He moved to New York, where he eventually became manager at IBM, after obtaining his BA from Hunter College and subsequently an MBA from St. John's University.  All of this while supporting his family -wife Betty, sons-Carlton, Earl, Eugene and daughter Yvonne.

After over 25 years with IBM Phil moved to Port St. Lucie, Florida, where he and wife Betty built their retirement home.  With PSL as his new home base, Phil, along with Betty Jean, his forever companion and beautiful wife of 60 years, enjoyed traveling to visit family in St. Petersburg, N. Carolina, Ft. Lauderdale, Pennsylvania and New York.  Their travel adventures also took them to the Caribbean, the UK, Europe and Asia.  But home was where the heart was, so Phil often hosted family gatherings at his home in PSL, particularly delighted and always ready with warm embrace, to receive his grandchildren -Carlton Jr, Randy Jr, Cameron, Kyle, Corey, Yasmine and Celeste.  The grandkids sometimes visited on weekends, summer vacations and holidays.   We all have nostalgic memories of festive delicious Thanksgiving feasts, cozy warm Christmas gatherings and summer camp adventures spent with Phil (Dad/Grandad).   In addition, Phil made it a point to attend all his grandkid's first communions, recitals, sports tournaments, graduations, and birthday celebrations. He even had the good fortune to celebrate Christmas 2023 with his great grandchildren Camryn and Luca.

Retirement in no way slowed Phil down and his passion for teaching never waned.    During his retirement years in PSL, Phil taught adult education classes, firmly believing in the importance of always working towards improving one's lot in life and dedicating himself to the service of helping others to do so, just as he had done.  He was such an inspiration to his fellow colleagues that they continued to have monthly luncheons with him even after he retired from teaching.   Personal fitness was as important to Phil, throughout much of his life right into the retirement years.   In his earlier years he was a talented soccer and cricket player, later a marathon runner, then throughout most of his later life, a skilled tennis player and an avid golfer.  He also volunteered as a Soccer referee, a mentor for Big Brothers Big Sisters of New Jersey and a PSL Community Patrol member. Phil worked at the Legacy Golf and Tennis Club allowing him to play Tennis and secure all the tee time his heart desired.  When he was not playing Phil would intently study both games on T.V.

Phil still made time to entertain, he loved a good party and was known to "knock some Dominoes" or to "cut a rug" to the authentic calypso music of The Mighty Sparrow or just to relax to jazz greats like Thelonius Monk.   Club members also experienced Phil's jovial spirit as well as his strong leadership as President of the Dominica America Scholarship and Culture Club (DASCI).   He was first elected President in 2003 and served for 4 terms until 2010. The Club tried to keep Phil president for as long as possible.   Just recently, he had the honor of celebrating Dominica's Independence Day and his 90th and final birthday with several club members.

Indeed, Phil has lived a full and blessed life.  We bid farewell to him and ask God to comfort those he leaves behind.  They are -son Carlton (wife- Carole), and daughter Yvonne Smith (husband- Randy), grandsons Carlton Jr. (wife- Chelsea), Randy Jr, Cameron, Kyle, and Corey, granddaughters Yasmine (husband- Darian) and Celeste, great grandchildren Camryn and Luca. Phil will be sadly missed by his brother Frank-wife Joy and his many nephews, nieces and other relatives and friends.   Phil will be joining his beautiful wife Betty Jean, and twin sons Earl and Eugene who have gone on before.