08/28/2026
Throughout August, Michele is sharing stories that celebrate the many sides of Phil—the kindness, the generosity, and the wonderful sense of humor that made him unforgettable.
Phil was wonderfully silly. He danced in the kitchen, jumped out from behind doors to surprise people, and called friends at five o'clock in the morning on their birthdays just so he could be the first to wish them a happy birthday. His dry wit had a way of catching people completely off guard.
This photo is a perfect example. While visiting a friend's office, Phil was determined to sit on the copy machine and leave behind a souvenir no one would ever forget. Michele managed to negotiate this pose instead.
As Michele often says, she misses the laughter, the ridiculous ideas, and the quiet moments that balanced all of Phil's playfulness. It was a combination that made him especially beloved by teenagers, who somehow always knew they could trust him.
That same spirit of generosity lives on through the Phillip Hernandez Memorial Fund. Each year, Soaring Spirits works alongside Michele to renew the fund with a goal of raising $20,000. To date, the fund has provided more than 1,500 newly widowed people with immediate, waitlist-free, cost-free access to research-informed support and a compassionate community.
If Phil's story or Michele's memories bring a smile to your face, we invite you to honor his memory with a gift to the Phillip Hernandez Memorial Fund. Together, we can ensure that his legacy of kindness, laughter, and quiet generosity continues to bring hope to people who need it most.
💝 Give today at: https://donations.soaringspirits.org/?referer=soaringspirits.org
