My family and I hadn't seen Phillip since he was a toddler when he and his family lived in Laguna Nigel, but I do remember a very cute little boy who was quite energetic and very outgoing.

From what I have read on this site, he seems to have been a very special young man.

I remember the day Phillip was born. How beautiful Dodie looked and how proud and excited Ron was. A very bright light came into the world that day. I just fell in love with the sweetness that was Phillip as a baby. He was loving and so precocious, even as an infant. I always wanted to hold him when I could and kiss those soft, soft cheeks. I can still feel the tenderness of his skin in my memory.

Remember when Ron was converting the garage at their Laguna Niguel house into a family room and adding a garage out front? By that time Phillip was so mechanical and logical it was scary! He was counting the tiles Ron would need to lay in the family room. He had his own tool belt and tools and used every one of them properly. What was he? Only 2 I think. Ron was working on the new garage roof and there was Phillip climbing all the way up the ladder after him. Frightening but so very Phillip.
Here I am Dad, here to help!

Also in Laguna Niguel, I remember when one of your neighbor's couldn't get his motorcycle working. Well Phillip was maybe 5 and he took pity and helped the poor guy out. It makes me laugh to remember how surprised that man must have been. That little boy telling that big guy what was wrong. Phillip just understood motors and engines from the time he could breath I think. He always wanted to know how things worked. Ron told him, and showed him, and he absorbed it all like a sponge.

Water was a Phillip favorite thing. Going to the beach with Ron and Dodie to take Phil. Running along the surf line with him dodging the ocean as it swept in. Smelling and feeling the salty spray. He loved it. Yes, I remember that huge smile too. He just loved it. Ron and Dodie put the pool in there in Laguna Niguel. Phillip and Danielle (baby that she was) both happy as two clams and I remember playing with them and thinking - they are part fish!

I'll never forget their trips to Sea Ranch and the magical hollowed out tree I showed Phillip and Danielle. The forest fairies gathered there at night. Phillip and Danielle left them little gifts. We never could catch them there though. The fairies only came out when they knew all the humans were deep asleep. Ron and Dodie let Phillip come out to spend time with me one summer. He was only a little boy but so grown up making that trip on his own. We had so much fun. Going to the beach, boy that water was cold! It froze your feet even in the summer but sure didn't stop us. The walks through the huge redwood forest. Just being with such a special little boy I loved so much.

Later just Dodie and Danielle came up. Dodie spent one day on the sofa bed in the living room watching "Gone With The Wind" and Danielle had me rearrange all the statuary animals until they were in just the right place. Perched on a log, peeking from behind a tree stump, resting under a fern. She was so little but knew where each and every critter should be. Her choices were perfect and that's exactly where they stayed until I left my wonderful Sea Ranch.

Dodie and Ron's first trip to Europe and Paris at that! It was November and they let me come to Elizabeth and stay with Phillip and Danielle while they were gone. I remember the three of us making a Christmas table display, making hand made paper, and studding oranges with what seemed like millions of cloves. Such special children so fun, and easy, and interesting. Going to the movies, driving through for the fast food of choice, Phillip and I making a trip to look at and price snow blowers. It had a motor, he really wanted one. There are so many, many more memories and I feel blessed to have those, and to have had Phillip in my life.

So many memories of Phil. Not as much time spent together in the last few years but enough visits to tide me over. Always the photos and notes from Dodie to keep me up to date on both he and Danielle. That beautiful smile of his, growing into such a handsome young man, and staying just as sweet as the day he was born. His own car, his love for water skiing, his acute business sense and ability to make and value a dollar, graduating from high school, and going away to college, making and keeping close a wide circle of friends, all accomplished along the way. Being a wonderful son and loving brother. Phil's open heart and sense of humor always perfectly balancing that incredible intelligence. I think Phillip was a genius with a mind that could have accomplished anything he chose. More importantly I think Phillip was a genius as a human being. A genuinely wonderful person. A very bright light came into the world the day Phillip was born. It now shines down on all those he loved and it always will.

A Tribute to Phil by Janie and Phil Ancona

We love you Phil,
Janie and Phil Ancona

A Tribute to Phil, by Aunt Mary

A Tribute to Phil, by Tim

I was always really good friends with Phil but our friendship turned towards brotherhood the day I moved in with Phil. We took on CSU side by side, it was more comfortable that way. Soon our circle of friends grew, and we became part of the family of great people you see here today.

Phil deeply loved his friends and we loved him back. We loved the excitement and joy that Phil brought to this world. Phil's impulsiveness was something we all loved about him. He once exploded into a serene living room with a plunger in his hand. While people unaware of his antics erratically searched for cover, I watched closely as he launched the plunger at the front window, with a screeching laugh. Random and hilarious things like this could bring a man to the floor in teary laughter. We coined the phrase like PH Cheese steak and the Fort Collins famous "The Phil Face" which describes Phil's smile that stretches perhaps from San Diego to Fort Collins. The tongue in or out was always optional. But Phil preferred the later.

But when I think about how great Phil was I can't help but think about his amazing family. I think it is important for you guys to know that Phil held strong to the beliefs and strong morals that you instilled in him. He treated people the right way and always made things right when it was that time, in his business and in his personal life. His love for his family was very apparent. When we talked of our Father's I soon realized Phil and I's brotherly connection came from. Like my own father, you taught Phil of hard work, the value of a dollar, of love, persistence, thankfulness and passion. We would talk of or Dad's leather hands and the lives they built with them. He talked with me about his mom and all about the unconditional love that you gave him.

Danielle, I want you to know that it's hard to have a sister in college because one often faces teasing. However while everyone knew Phil had a little sister, no one would ever dare mention her except Phil of course, who did so often, keeping me updated on Ponderosa Band and any boys who he thought were not perfect enough for you.

I know a lot of us are here today asking why, pleading for any answer to this tragedy. But I want to thank God for the time he let Phil enrich our lives. I will always be here for you Ron, Dodie, and Danielle. In twenty years we will continue to gather and tell stories of the man we loved.

I no longer take the breeze on my face for granted because none of us are guaranteed anything. We are at the mercy of God and I thank Him for this life which is but a vapor, a heartbeat in eternity. After the tears are wiped away, keep your Phil face on your faces and in your hearts.

A Tribute to Phil, by Brittney

Two years ago today we (Phil, his family, and I) were all at Bart and Lil's house in Kiowa dancing to the Macarena and watching fireworks. Today I can't think of a better place than here to celebrate the remarkable life of Phil. I have so many great memories in this back yard, from prom when Phil thought it would be funny to pour water down the back of my prom dress to our Yahtzee tournaments with Ron and Dodie. This was one of Phil's most favorite places to come after a long day of mowing lawns to just relax and of course eat hot dogs.

Phil is the most amazing person I have ever met. He could just walk into the room with that beautiful smile on his face and the energy level of the room would go up. He always knew what to do to make me laugh and could always turn the most boring situation into an exciting one. Like the time we had been sitting in traffic for what seemed like forever. He decided to turn up Godsmack really loud, put his mullet wig on and get out of the car and start dancing on the highway.

But there was also a more serious and sensitive side to Phil that I had the pleasure of getting to know. He was the most romantic person I have ever met, I would always come home to find flowers and love notes on my bed. And when we saw The Notebook (movie) he cried harder than I did. I will never forget all the amazing times with him . . . true love is something that comes once in a life time and I was lucky enough to experience that part of my life with Phil. And I know that there's a smile on his face because he is in a better place than we will ever know. I love you Baby . . .