Philip E. Stearns

Philip E. Stearns, 62, of West Hartford, died Sunday, September 2, 2007. Cherished retired teacher of English at Manchester High for 35 years, he retained his zest for life until the last moment. In addition to longtime partner Stephen L. Purdy, he leaves broken-hearted numerous close friends, colleagues and legions of former students in whose lives he continued to participate. Also surviving, his dear cousin Carol Lehman of Louisville, Kentucky. Phil was predeceased by his parents, Eleanor Bell Stearns and Clarence E. Stearns, whose joy and engaging minds could only have created our Phil. Full of life and words from the start, his boyhood in upstate New York included writing a ?Teen Scene? column for the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, participation in the high school debate team, and attendance at area college programs. At 16, he drew on an American Field Service scholarship to spend a summer with a native family on the Greek Island of Crete. As an undergraduate at Colby College in Maine, his passion for learning involved continued debate and study during his junior year at Exeter and Cambridge Universities in England. In the spirit Phil had always worked to help finance his education, graduate study at The University of Wisconsin Madison included six months of teaching in a secondary school ? predictably, he chose inner-city Beloit. Indeed, while subsequently tapped for professorship by prestigious universities, he answered his calling to public secondary education in the diverse and evolving community of Manchester. In jumping in full-steam, he tapped literature and theater, community and politics, to help each of his students find an inner spark and self-esteem. He is most remembered for his stewardship of students to The Hartford Stage ?the big city? and a decades-long leadership of the school?s Junior Honors English Independent Study Project. With an unlimited scope for the latter, its key criteria remained honest research and respect for others? points of view. Subjects ranged from the likes of Long Wharf Theater to a Broadway choreographer to Holocaust survivors, and the program helped many young people proceed to esteemed higher education, honors, and to strongly successful personal and professional lives. Phil?s other mentoring at Manchester High included presence on the school?s chapter of AFS, and repeated guidance to students during summer trips to Europe. His unwavering commitment to legitimate ideas and social justice often translated into support for colleagues ?up against the system.? Those who knew Phil and Stephen saw their art- and music-filled home as a refuge for conversation and solitude, books and food ? and cats. We would like to thank the many hearts and hands of Vitas Hospice of East Hartford, and suggest that any memorial contributions be sent either to them, the Helen and Harry Gray Cancer Center at Hartford Hospital, or a Democratic candidate of your choice. Burial services are private, with a public memorial service to be announced in a few weeks. Online messages of remembrance and sympathy may be made at www.molloyfuneralhome.com

Philip E. Stearns

June 13, 1945 - September 2, 2007