Kismet
Update: A Tribute to “Brooklyn” Phil
by Jeannie
Phil’s 66th
Birthday Party at Out
(he was
angry that Myrna didn’t make him a 65th, so she made this)
Everybody liked him.
"He had no enemies”, more than one person said in retrospect.
Indeed, walking the streets each day, "How’re you doing?
Everything good? Good!" was his greeting to everyone – whom he always left
smiling.
Toward the end you would hear him coming, unbuckled sandals scraping
along the sidewalk as he trudged along his social journey.
It was the last of the many activities he enjoyed in Kismet after
he could no longer play tennis, (which Myna attributes to the beginning of the
end for him) cleaning houses, (which he would abandon in the middle if a tennis
game was available), mowing laws, with other peoples equipment which he
usually broke, selling liquor at Margarita Villas
I first met Phil at one of those great open parties we used to
have here - it was summer of ‘87 outdoors and during the day, and he made his social
debut immaculately dressed, coiffed, even manicured. Darkly handsome the woman
swarmed around whim which he obviously enjoyed until Myrna put her stamp on
him- introduced him as her boyfriend.
A self made man brought up on the streets of Brooklyn, his talent
for figures helped him as a gambler but it was as a security guard in the
same school where Myrna taught which brought them together.
He was a quatrathlete: running, swimming (in the ocean, seldom in
a pool which he didn’t consider real swimming), tennis and ballroom dancing,
his style slow and smooth.
His other talent, also self taught - was his unique style of
tennis, ambidextrous (no back hand, a technique he borrowed from racquetball).
At the beginning he only played with the women until he got better
And eventually won a championship in our annual tennis tourney.
Between games you could hear him singing along, loudly, to Tony Bonnet
songs on his walkman.
They lived in separate but equal worlds. Phil would awake at dawn, the
time that Myna would return home from those hard partying days, and leave to
play tennis. She slept all day while he was out. At 9 PM he went to sleep which
is when her "day" began. Somehow it worked.
Which explains that of the 100 plus texts and calls, and emails and
eventually visitors were people she didn't even know.
Indeed the response to the news of his death was overwhelming as
the news went viral in facebook and people from way back journeyed to Kismet to
pay tribute.
Phil would have loved the attention.
Some pictures and comments from friends:
How sad! It occurs to me that I haven’t seen him around
recently, only Myrna, but you did say “sudden” passing. It’s been a few
years since he had that heart attack, was he sick lately? Phil was
one of the first Kismetians I sort of got to know, used to talk to him on the
Stranger the first summer I came to Kismet. I’m sorry I won’t be there
while she’s sitting shiva but would like to make a donation in his name if you
know of any orgs that he was involved with?
Susan Rabinowitz
No SHIT!
Expected?
We should have a ceremony...
Gregg Weisser
Myrna: so sorry for your loss, Phil was loved
by all who knew him, a true one of a kind. We are all better for having known
him. Carol and Michael
August 4 at 2:31pm ·
I heard
a little while ago and am so saddened to hear about Phil. He was such a great
guy, caring and generous. He touched everyone he knew. I was lucky to know him
and you together. He will always have a special place in the Kismet heart.
August 4 at 8:58am · Kismet, NY ·
Lou and
I were devastated to hear of Phil's passing as my Dad would say he was one of
Kismet s characters and will truly be missed by all sending love and prayers
Patti & Lou
Annick Bywalski Such a
sweet genuine smile.
Isaac M. Jacobowitz My prayers
and thoughts are with you. I remember Phil well and fondly.
August 4 at 10:11pm · Bay Shore, NY ·
Myrna -
I am so sorry for your loss. My heart goes out to you and your family. I will
miss seeing Phil's smiling face around town.
August 4 at 7:15pm · Beacon, NY ·
Myrna,
I am so sorry to learn of the passing of Phil. He had a gruff, yet cheerful
directness that I loved, and I always enjoyed chatting with him because he was
a real character who also had a lot of character. My thoughts are with you and
your family.
Rich Covello I can't
believe it. So very sorry Myrna.
Mitch Kronenfeld My sincerest condolences to you.
Oh My Dear Myrna,
I am so sorry to hear of our beloved Phil’s
passing.
Another great man taken from us way too soon.
I feel honored to have known him and called him
friend. Heaven has a new angel and I am sure he will be watching over you.
Sending you hugs, kisses & love. Please let
me know If there is anything you need.
Nick Abate Rest in
peace Phil my deepest sympathy Stepahine
My fondest memories of Brooklyn Phil were on
the tennis courts of Kismet when I was a new player and Phil was always so cool
about that. Then, when I got better at the game, it was like
"Hey, was that ball just in or just out??" Other players
will get that joke.
Also, Phil was always such a gentleman, with his smiling
face on the walks of Kismet. He always said to me, "Joanie you look
great" (even when I didn't) and would kiss my hand. What Chivalry!!
There will never be another Brooklyn Phil. Our loss is
Heaven's gain.
My deepest condolences to dear Myrna and all at Cartoon
Alley.
Love,
Joanie McKeehan
And so passes another legend.
Barbara Leeds
Kimberly Butler What a sad
loss, a wonderful man. I'll always remember how kind he was to our kids at the
candy st
Warren Bograd so sorry to
hear about phil. i didnt know him well but he always had a smile and a kind
word.
SO SORRY TO HEAR THIS SAD NEWS
PLEASE PASS OUR CONDOLENCES ON TO MYRNA
WILL SEE HER IN KISMET I'M SURE.
ROSE & VIC LIOTTA
Tom Licari: The guy I liked playing with least – not against but
as a partner cause he used to yell at me
I remember so many Saturday and Sunday mornings walking into C. A
to say hello and share the prior night's adventures. Phil would invariable ask
me if I wanted him to make me a couple of eggs and toast. I took him up on it
when I had not already eaten. Who else did this? Nobody! He is already missed.
I just heard "Smile" on streaming audio (WBGO.org) by
Tony Bennett. Bennett was Phil's favorite singer. This is a tough time
to follow Tony's advice.
Joe Beck
Kimberly Butler What a sad
loss, a wonderful man. I'll always remember how kind he was to our kids at the
candy store
Warren Bograd so sorry to
hear about phil. i didnt know him well but he always had a smile and a kind
word.
SO SORRY TO HEAR THIS SAD NEWS
PLEASE PASS OUR CONDOLENCES ON TO MYRNA
WILL SEE HER IN KISMET I'M SURE.
ROSE & VIC LIOTTA
Tom Licari: The guy I liked playing with least – not against but
as a partner - he was always yelling at me
I remember so many Saturday and Sunday mornings walking into C. A
to say hello and share the prior night's adventures. Phil would invariable ask
me if I wanted him to make me a couple of eggs and toast. I took him up on it
when I had not already eaten. Who else did this? Nobody! He is already missed.
I just heard "Smile" on streaming audio (WBGO.org) by
Tony Bennett. Bennett was Phil's favorite singer. This is a tough time
to follow Tony's advice.
Joe Beck
A
thank you note from Myrna:
I
want to express my appeciation for the out pouring of love and support from my friends
and neighbors and even people I didn’t really know, the whole community
You
pulled me through a very tough time and I thank you all.
“Brooklyn”
Phil Leitz
8/31/1937
– 8/2/2015
R.I.P.
