Phil is different, He understands the world in such a unique way. I could easily see that this gentleman, this "anthropo", a true human as we Greeks call him.
Phil sat next to me in one of my first classes. He would share the school notices with me and made me feel like part of the school. Even at 19, he was gracious, warm and was there to make introductions.
A day doesn’t go by that I don’t think of Phil and I often ask, “What would Phil do in this situation?” He was kind, caring and always had your best interest at heart.
You always knew you would be greeted with a smile and a warmth from Phil that made you feel worthwhile. I hope to pay it forward like Phil for the rest of my life and miss him.
I always say I owe much of my professional success to The Hotel School, but a large part of that was starting off on the right foot on day one with Phil Miller.
He had eyes and ears all over the school and somehow had spotted me. I was flattered, and extremely lucky, for to be looked out for by Phil is a cherished privilege.
He taught me to have courage when meeting people for the first time, to trust myself, to take chances, and to venture out of my comfort zone. I will always be indebted to him for those lessons.
My favorite line from PMIII was when he said "Cleary, you like to have people think you do not work that hard, but it is a like duck paddling! Massive activity behind the scenes. smooth on top. I call that studied nonchalance."
A mutual friend and fellow Cornell Glee Club alumnus, Mike Newman, recruited Phil to crew for me Sunday afternoon in PHRF sailing races on Cayuga Lake. It was immediately obvious that he needed little training. Sailor was just one of many hats Phil wore well.
My lasting memory of Phil is just that every time we met up or exchanged messages I received an overwhelming jolt of positive energy, enthusiasm, and fun.
His ability to remember people, names and situations was phenomenally impressive and was what I believe set him so much apart: he was genuinely interested in others and loved to make connections and introductions for others in a very unselfish way.