NORTH MIAMI BEACH, FL and HUDSON FALLS – Michael E. Philion, 51, a long time resident of North Miami Beach, FL and most recently of Hudson Falls, passed away peacefully on October 24, 2015, surrounded by his family and friends at the home of his sister.
Born on October 24, 1964, in Glens Falls, he was the eldest son of Donald and Shirley (Hartwell) Philion.
After graduating from Hudson Falls High School in 1982, Michael enrolled and successfully completed the Nursing Program at Adirondack Community College in 1984. He began his career at St. Peter’s Hospital in Albany, NY as a Registered Nurse. In 1987 he began a 28 year nursing career at Memorial Regional Hospital in Hollywood, Florida. Michael loved caring for others whether working on a med/surg floor, in the OR, cardiac cath lab and most recently in the Interventional Radiology lab at Memorial. His compassion for others was evident and felt by all.
Michael loved the fall season, making yearly visits to pick fresh apples to bring back to Florida. He always enjoyed, when he was able, to be home for Thanksgiving and Christmas to share the holidays with his family. He fulfilled a lifelong dream of completing a medical mission with a group of physicians from the Florida area, traveling to Peru, South America in May of 2014. This group of dedicated doctors and nurses helped change the lives of 88 men, women and children during their five day stay.
He was predeceased by his paternal grandparents, Everett and Geneva Philion and maternal grandparents, Walter Hartwell and Marion (Hartwell) LaFountian
In addition to his parents he is survived by his sisters, Ann Doerffel and her husband, David of Warmnister, Pennsylvania, Susan Philion of Hudson Falls, Theresa Philion of Queensbury and Jeanne Philion-Nichols and her husband, Brian of Queensbury, and his brothers, Charles Philion and his partner, Bill Gardy of Albany and Donald J. Philion, Jr., of Gansevoort. He was the beloved uncle of Katherine (Katie) and her husband, Justin Lee of South Glens Falls, Corporal John T. Doerffel USMC, stationed at Camp Pendleton, CA, Elizabeth and Patrick Nichols and Nathan Philion, all of Queensbury. He was especially close to his great-nephew, Maxwell Lee of South Glens Falls. He is also survived by his longtime friend and partner Gary Youngkin of North Miami Beach, Florida, in addition to aunts, uncles, cousins, childhood friends and his Memorial Regional Hospital family, in Hollywood Florida, where he was well liked and respected by hundreds of friends and colleagues.
Family and friends may call on Monday, from 2 to 5 p.m., at the Carleton Funeral Home, Inc., 68 Main Street in Hudson Falls.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated 10 a.m. on Tuesday, at St. Mary’s Church in Glens Falls.
The Rite of Committal will follow at St. Paul’s Cemetery in the town of Kingsbury.
A celebration in Michael’s honor will be held at the Fort Edward Fire House, immediately following the Rite of Committal.
Michael was a kind and generous soul with the biggest heart in the world. He touched many lives and will be greatly missed. He was an amazing example of how to live with dignity and grace, humbly, never complaining during this 8 month illness which he fought so valiantly. We are profoundly grateful for the loving care his dear friend and partner Gary Youngkin gave to him during his illness, and for the exceptional care and compassion he received from Dr. Grubbs and staff during his brief stay on Tower 2 at GFH and the staff from High Peaks Hospice, especially Heather, Stacey, and Carol.
In lieu of flowers the family has suggested that donations be made to the Lustgarten Foundation (working to Cure Pancreatic Cancer), 1111 Stewart Ave, Bethpage, NY 11714 or High Peaks Hospice, 79 Glenwood Ave, Queensbury, NY 12804.
“A heart is not judged by how much you love,
But by how much you are loved by others.
–Frank Baum
Michael, Rena Sarah, Joshua and I will never forget you. Your recommendation assisted me getting my first Job and Memorial Regional. I fondly remember when we would “Bird Watch” Eeoo while you were out of town. I will, in particular wil miss your smile and that laugh of yours. And of course your delicious Chocolate Chip cookies. And also when you would ask me -“when Rena makes Roti next I’d love some”
Michael we will always love you.
Rest now my friend. You were a friend beyond friendship. You were a brother I never had 🙁
Thank you Martin, we will be in touch soon.
The Philion Family — You have my deepest sympathy on the loss of your brother. I know how hard it is to lose a sibling. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Meme and Tom Yanetsko and our girlies
Hi, This is Sue, one of Michael’s sisters, Thank you for your kind thoughts and words. He was a one of a kind guy, loved by many! I’m glad he was part of your life too!
My heart goes out to all of you. I am very sorry for your loss and hope you will find comfort and strength in all of the positive energy you will be receiving from those who know and love you.
Laura LaPan
Thank you for your kind words. I’m not sure if you were a co worker or not….nonetheless, Michael obviously touched your life in a positive way! Thanks for remembering him.
My deepest sympathy to the Philion family. There are so many memories of him over the years I can’t even begin to tell you. He was such an amazing person a kind soul a wonderful nurse he was one of my dearest friends I will miss him terribly the world has lost an angel . He’s at peace and watching over all who loved him. I love you my friend.
Hi Kathy, Thanks for your kind words. I hope to be able to spend time with you and the horses when I come down in the near future. He always seemed to “beem” when he talked about his rides! Send your number privately via facebook.
My deepest sympathy & prayers to all the Philion family. Even though I know this is real my heart doesn’t want to accept that Michael is no longer with us but know he is at peace & no longer in pain. I feel privileged to have had such a special friend touch my life & have so many great, funny memories-the fun times with him & Bea as shift time changed; the pranks Michael & I pulled on 2nd shift (who us? don’t know what you’re talking about); the cookies & apples he always made sure Bea & I got-so many many good memories. Something I read once-you can tell where a beautiful soul has been by all the tears & smiles left behind, & Michael was indeed a beautiful soul. R.I.P special friend.
Deepest sympathy to the Philion family. I know Michael is not here but my heart doesn’t want to accept it. A special friend that touched my life & left me with great,fun memories-the pranks pulled at work(who us? don’t know what you’re talking about),the laughs with Bea & him.the squished lizards in our home doors,the cookies & apples, The Wizard of Oz, & Thriller-so many many memories. Something I read once-you can tell where a beautiful soul has been by all the tears& smiles left behind. R.I.P. special friend. Love you.
My deepest sympathy to the Philion family. I am so very sorry for your loss. I will always remember his smile!
Our deepest sympathy to the Philion family.
My deepest condolences and prayers go out to the Philion family. Michael and I worked together in Interventional Radiology for several years and we always had the best time. We would crack each other up to the point of tears and belly pains. Nobody else knew what we were laughing at or got it but we did! Michael, remember our Chocolate Chex conversation that we got into trouble for? Or the time we were talking about having coffee with NY accents in front of a certain doctor? His laugh was hilarious and that alone would make me crack up.There are so many great stories about Michael. I was going through a rough time and Michael took me out to dinner with Gary and wouldn’t let me pay for a thing. He was such a caring, kind, and generous person. We are both chocoholics, so he would always share his sweets with me and he loved my curry chicken salad. Every year he would bring his cinnamon candy and apples for everyone to enjoy. Michael, you were such a wonderful person that will truly be missed. I know that you are looking down from heaven smiling on all of us and telling us to stop being sad. I pray that your family finds comfort knowing that you are not in anymore pain and that you are with our Heavenly Father. See you someday again my friend.
My deepest condolences to Micheals family. May he rest in peace.
Our prayers are with your family. I worked with Michael over 10 years in the cath lab/IR suite. I have many fond memories of Michael! He loved to have fun and blare Michael Jackson on the sound system (when no patients were in the room). He is already missed! Rest in Peace!
Michael’s dedication and compassion was evident in his work. We are all diminished by his loss.