I also went to Franklin with Phil, he was one of the first people to make me feel as though high school would not be that "scary place" where you become judged, or unwanted.  He had THE most reassuring smile I've ever known, and always seemed to sense when it was most needed!  He never offered advice, but when asked for it, he always seemed just a bit wiser than the rest of us.  I often wondered what he knew that we didn't.  Which was a lot  I went to pay my last respects only a few days after the services, I wish I had known sooner so that I could have met his family.  They must be special people, he was.

To Philip's Family - Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this most difficult time.  Loves' last gift is remembrance....

George and Mrs. Beck-
I share your grief on this untimely death.

Uncle George, Aunt Claudette,

Thomasina and I continue to pray for your whole family.  As much as possible we share your pain.  Our hope is that God will heal your spirits.

Dear George,
Elaine and I were greatly saddened by the news of your terrible loss. I have warm memories of meeting Philip and your other sons on that day so long ago, when we all went sailing on Biscayne Bay. You were so concerned about how the boys wore the life jackets, and if the jackets were OK. You were a great father then and we are sure you still are. We are so sorry for you. Our greatest sympathy and condolences. Elaine and Joel

George...
I am so very sorry for your loss.   I can only imagine the grief you must be feeling.   We are supposed to go before our kids, but we don't always make the rules.   And I suppose that is good.   We don't always make really good decisions.

You are in Bev's and my thoughts and prayers.   God has a way of planning things differently than we plan.   But He also is always there to guide and support us.   May He be with you in these difficult times.

Memories of the good times allow us to survive and carry on.

With prayerful regards,
    Dave

Dear George,
My heart goes out to you and your family.  I know how proud you were of your wonderful son.  The loss of a child is a sorrow no parent should have to endure.  My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.

Our prayers are with you at this time of sorrow. May God  bless, strengthen and keep you.

To George and family:
Anne and I are deeply saddened that you have lost Philip in this life.  Our thoughts are with you and your loved ones at this time.
May time and blessed memories help heal your pain.
David 

Phil was a wonderful colleague, and we all enjoyed working with and knowing him.  He had a great laugh, wonderful voice, and was a good conversationist well liked by everybody.  We will miss his great smile.  His family is uppermost in our thoughts at this time.

I remember interviewing Phil for the job of investigator at CBOE.  He first struck me as being very bright and articulate.  As I got to know him, I came to know him as a very gentle, kind and funny man.  He was a valued member of the market regulation department where I worked with him at the CBOE.  He will be missed.  My condolences to his family.  May you find peace in knowing that he was a good man and he is now in God's loving care. Ann Grady

Phil was a dedicated and conscientious employee.  But, my fondest memory will be from a time outside of the workplace, when he attended the memorial service for my Mother. His kindness and generosity will always be remembered and appreciated by me and my family. My heartfelt sympathy to his family and friends.       

The Count family is in my prayers. Phil was a wonderful guy with a great big smile and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

My condolences to the family of Phil Counts.  Please know that God is with you during your time of sorrow.  Phil was loved and will be deeply missed.  You are in my prayers and may God bless all of you.

My greatest sympathy is with you at this time.

I worked with Phil at the CBOE and I will always remember the first time I met him. It was my first day at work and he came right up to me, invited me to lunch
and offered to help with anything I needed. He was warm, generous and good-hearted. Phil, you're in my
prayers and thoughts. And to Phil's  family, my sincerest condolences. 

May God carries you at this most difficult time.  Counts family are in my prayers. 

My thoughts and prayers are with you and yours.  Phil will be greatly missed.

I worked with Phil and I will miss him very much!!!  He was such a wonderful person - always smiling and asking how I'm doing.  I've never seen him in a bad mood - he will be truly missed!!!  God Bless all of you and may he rest in peace!

In the hearts of all that knew him, his memory lives...My sincere condolences to the Counts family; may God bless you in your time of need.

Phil will always be dear to my heart. I remember the first day Phil started at the CBOE he needed a few supplies and he walked up to me and said Hey A.D. I need this, this and this.  I thought to myself...who is this guy calling me A.D.  He doesn't know me like that. But I looked into his eyes and said why not.  I will get them right to you P.C. As he walked away with his happy little walk I thought what a nice guy. I will always remember the day I meant P.C.

I worked with Phil at the CBOE and came to know him quite well.  We went to lunch from time to time and he told me stories about getting his MBA, being in the military, good places to visit in Seattle, etc.  Phil had a laugh that made everyone else chuckle regardless of their mood.  I'll miss him very much.  I will not be able to attend the memorial service, but my thoughts will be with all of Phil's family and friends on such a difficult day.

My best memory of Phil was when I talked him into going to this little Jazz club in his neighborhood that he didn't know was there. He had a really good time, good Cajun food a nice band, and he even ran into a female friend that he knew from his building. Phil was a really nice guy, my condolences go out to the family.

Philip's friends from the Franklin high school
class of 1981, were saddened to hear of Philip's
passing. Our prayers and condolences  go to 
Philip's family. He will truly be missed.

My deepest sympathy and prayers go out to all of you. Phil was a great guy and a true gentleman.

Dear George

There are no words that can ease the pain of losing a child so I will not attempt to do so. Please know that Bill and I have kept you in our thoughts as you go through this most trying of times and pray that your burden be eased by the fact that so many friends and acquaintances are here to support you.  

Joyce and William Woodford.  

George - I'm really sorry for your loss.  We are all thinking about you.
Eddie

Dear George...I am so sad for you...this is such a great loss.

My sympathy to you and your family.
  With Love Gina Pugliese

George, I am SO sorry.  I can only imagine the tremendous loss you and your family must be experiencing.  My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Dear George

I was very sorry to hear about the death of your son. Our sons should out live us but sometimes that does not happen.  I know what you are going through. I lost my youngest son 12 years ago when he was 22.  
I guess we should be grateful God lets us have them for the years they are with us.

You have my deepest sympathy and prayers

Marty Favero

I was friends with Phil in high school.  When I picture him, I remember him always weighed down with books and backpack, sitting with our friends at the back of the schoolbus on the drive home.  For all of his politness, he had a wicked sense of humor.  He could always unsuspectingly nab someone with a great verbal put-down, and then, while everyone else was cracking up, he would instantly assure the person he had just put down that he was just kidding, honest, he didn't really mean it.  

I've lost several high school friends, but losing Phil has had by far the most effect on me.  He was one of the most gentle, caring people I've ever known, with a razor-sharp brain, a great laugh, and such a generous, sweet nature.  My biggest regret is that I never got to see him again after high school.  Right now, at this moment, I just miss him so much.  I would have loved to have seen him again, and find out all that he had been doing with himself over the years, and to have heard him laugh once more.

My prayers go out to his family, and especially to his parents. 

Phil was a great friend and a kind soul.  He was one of the most generous people I have known, and I miss him terribly. Truly wish I could have attended his memorial service - my thoughts have been of him and his family. I have so many fond memories of Phil  - from his laughter  every day at work to work parties, Christmas parties, my birthday party and baby shower.  He was a kind and generous friend who always walked me to my car and ended the evening with a big hug. Phil was a true gentleman, and his pride and intelligence were always apparent. God will take care of our dear friend, and I am so sorry for the great loss his family must feel. 

George, my heart goes out to you and your family.  This is an unimaginable loss.  May the love you shared with your son bring you peace and strength.  Warmest regards and heartfelt prayers, Penny  

I FIRST MET PHIL IN THE 7TH GRADE AT 
SHARPLES MIDDLE SCHOOL. WE BECAME
VERY GOOD FRIENDS FROM THAT DAY ON.
I REMEMBER SO MANY GOOD TIMES WITH 
PHIL, I DONT REALLY KNOW WHERE TO START.
FROM JR. HIGH TO HIGH SCHOOL, WE HAD OUR
OWN LITTLE "CLICK" AS THEY SAY.
THERE WAS PHIL, ALAN JACK, KEVIN OCONNER
AND MYSELF. WE WERE INSEPARABLE. WE ALL
GREW UP IN THE SAME "HOOD" WHICH MADE
IT NICE. HIS PARENTS WERE GREAT PEOPLE
AS WELL. THEY ALWAYS MADE YOU FEEL
WELCOME IN THEIR HOME. ONE OF MY 
FONDEST AND FUNNIEST MEMORIES OF PHIL
WAS WHEN WE WERE ALL AT LAKE WASHINGTON
 FOR SEAFAIR. WE SAW THIS
BEAUTIFUL WOMAN IN A BIKINI. AS WE 
PASSED HER, PHIL TOOK A 360 DEGREE
TURN TO WATCH HER. WHEN HE TURNED
BACK AROUND, HE WALKED RIGHT INTO A 
TREE AND FELL DOWN. WHEN WE WENT TO
SEE IF HE WAS O.K., ALL HE COULD SAY WAS
"WOW, DID YOU SEE HER". AFTER WE KNEW
HE WAS O.K., WE ALL LAUGHED. MY LOVE
AND PRAYERS GO OUT TO HIS FAMILY.
THIS IS A SAD TIME FOR ME BECAUSE HIS
FRIENDSHIP MENT SO MUCH. HE WILL BE 
DEEPLY MISSED BY ME.
PLEASE LORD, TAKE CARE OF MY FRIEND
AND WATCH OVER HIS FAMILY..... THEY'RE
SUCH GREAT PEOPLE.
AND TO MR AND MRS COUNTS, IM SO SORRY
I MISSED HIS SERVICES. I WISH I WOULD HAVE
KNOWN THIS SOONER. 

Phil was one of our best friends in jr. high and high school, and one of the smartest people we knew. I regret that none of the old gang were able to locate him these past few years, but surely he knows we've missed him and are thinking of him.

OBITUARY

Philip Gordon Counts

31 December, 1969 – 31 December, 1969

Evergreen Washelli Funeral Home & Cemetery

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