Dear Sir,

I am requesting your consideration to present this American perspective of Phillip Anderson. Phillip was a foreign student from Bermuda who lived with us in New Jersey. My mother, Doris Garrett Henderson, was Phillip’s tennis coach and US sponsor.

Phillip became a US tennis champion and college student while living in New Jersey. We wanted to share our US perspective of how he impressed and impacted our lives. Thank you for sharing publicly this most deserving tribute to Phillip from the US:

The US is saddened by the sudden loss of Phillip “Phoopa” Anderson. He was not only a shining star over Bermuda, his influence impacted the US as well. He was a true ambassador and diplomat from Bermuda at an early age.

Phillip was a foreign student from Bermuda who lived in New Jersey and became a US city tennis champion. From New York and New Jersey to Tennessee, his impact was realised through raising awareness for government responsibility and the value of cultural recognition and expression.

An athlete, soccer and champion tennis player, always a son, father, brother and friend. He was an adventurer, sailor and nature lover, beckoning the public’s interest in Bermuda, promoting Bermuda’s cultural exchange tours to the US, resulting in numerous trips of business and tourism between Bermuda and the US that were mutually beneficial and enriching for both countries and their citizens.

Growing up in a tennis family, I was exposed to Althea Gibson and Arthur Ashe, and other tennis notables. However, it was Phillip Anderson that captured our city’s heart. He played tennis with great zeal, determination and joy, and was congenial. We witnessed this same commitment years later as a public leader in Bermuda.

Spiritually, he represented Jesus Christ: love, kindness, joy and always being there as a teacher and a guide. He gave us all a torch to carry for hope, faith, vision and a belief for positive and productive change. His love for Bermuda and St George’s must never fade.

My request is that the Bermuda Government would erect permanent “Hoisted Sails” in a public place, high on a hill in St George’s to honour his spirit and the spirit of Bermuda.

We are thankful to Phillip for demonstrating love and kindness, and for making our world a better place.

Let us continue to carry the torch he has passed to us and hoist our sails to fulfil our destinies in service.

Ps. The name “Phoopa” is officially listed in the Urban dictionary, submitted by Phillip “Phoopa” Anderson in 2008.

phoopa

“Phoopa” is an island word for Phillip. It arrived from the island Bermuda and the accent and a twisted tongue.

Phillip’s nephew (Carlos) had such a twisted tongue when they were young, every time he called his uncle it came out like “phoopa”.

#foopah#fupa#phooo.phil#phoopadups#phoopah

by Phillip A. Anderson, July 02, 2008

YVONNE GARRETT

PATTERSON

Newark, New Jersey