It is with great sadness that I report the sudden death of our beloved classmate and friend, Philip “Phil” T. Warren. Full obituary and link to memorial service video can be found here – https://greenwichvillage.tributes.com/obituary/show/Philip-Thurston-Warren–108491785
Those who knew Phil at Deerfield will remember him as a highly intelligent, perpetually positive young man who made his mark on the student body and faculty from the first day he stepped on campus as a “new boy” junior. He was a 3rd generation legacy, son of William E. Warren ’60 and grandson of Dana T. Warren ’24. Phil settled into a single in Pocumtuck 1 dormitory and made fast friends with seemingly the entire school.
During his 2 years at Deerfield, he was fixture in the athletic trainers’ room as an assistant to Chuck Demers. He taped ankles, iced swollen joints and most importantly, was unofficial cheerleader and confidant to all Deerfield athletes.
When school was in session, the radio listeners of Western Massachusetts were treated every Saturday night to the “Phil the Pill Show” on WGAJ FM 91.7. Phil spun the hits of the ‘40s, ‘50s & ‘60s, introducing the likes of Frank Sinatra and Bill Haley and the Comets with a rich tenor that would have made professional radio DJs jealous.
Although Phil went on to graduate from Princeton University with a degree in economics and enjoyed a successful career in finance, he was always a gifted writer and amusing storyteller. I have attached here page 8 of our senior yearbook – our graduation year was the first year of the modern era of coeducation at Deerfield and these were Phil’s musings on the first year of coeducation.
It came as no surprise to anyone in our class that at the end of senior year, the Lincoln Lowell Russell Award – awarded to “that student of character and ability who has contributed the most of cheer to the school year” – was awarded to Phil. There was no one else on campus during our time there who embodied such a strength and courage of spirit, warmth and kindness.
Please visit the memorial page linked above, learn about his life after Deerfield and share your thoughts and feelings about Phil.
Larry Leonard
1990