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James Charles posted a condolence
Tuesday, January 21, 2020
January 2020 - from Sydney Australia.
We're a bit off the beaten track here, so only very recently did I happen upon this obituary to that dear man Phil Benson - which of course also led me to the earlier obit to my once-upon-a-stage-time mother in law, the amazing Janis! I am sorry to have missed their passing.
I was fortunate to be acting in a theatre in Nairobi, Kenya whilst Phil was the US Cultural Attache there and they were both enthusiastically hands-on supporters of the now extinct Donovan Maule Theatre. I have fond memories of Neil Simon's Barefoot in the Park (wearing full-on winter clothing in the tropical heat of Mombasa!. Janis was a joy to work with - Phil too, rather more indirectly, as he performed musical wonders on the saxophone on the production of Joseph & His Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. As I recall, Peter was the only child there at the time, but he too had inherited his parents' acting chops, as was a fine Benjamin (oh no, not he !) in that same Lloyd Webber show.
I visited them sometime in the late 1980s as I took a USA and world tour, little realising that it would include a stop in Australia where I fell in love, but took until 2011 to finally settle here. They were of course tremendous and generous hosts and took me happily all around St Petersburg, Treasure Island and we spent several happy days chatting over old times.For many years we exchanged Christmas newsletters which sadly petered out as age and distance no doubt impacted us all. I send belated condolences to their wonderful offspring - Emily, Matt, Peter, Andy and Kate - some of whom may remember meeting me along the way. A highlight of my entire life was a total solar eclipse in Kenya organised by Phil & Co - to which we - merely players - were invited and which remains an indelible memory. I am delighted that they are now reunited above to continue a unique partnership. James Charles : ex London, Nairobi and now Sydney, Australia (james_the_charles@hotmail.com)
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Magdy Battikha posted a condolence
Friday, November 29, 2019
Luce and I were fortunate to have known Phil and Janis; they were our neighbors and friends in Isle of Capri, Treasure Island, Florida. I have my 25 ft McGregor sailboat but most of the time I went out with Phil on his Tina III, a superb Hallberg-Rassy, 31 ft for about eight years in the Gulf of Mexico. Once, when his daughter Emily was visiting, we sailed with Emily to a nearby tiny island, Egmont Key. Phil stayed on board as Emily and I swam to the island. Another time we got stuck in the mud at low tide in the Boca Ciega Bay. Phil expertly got us unstuck... Once, on my boat, my little 6 HP motor stalled dangerously close to the John's Pass bridge. Phil was calm and showed me how to restart the motor. It worked. So many memories; Luce and I had so many things in common with Phil and Janis; Phil and I play the piano (He also played the saxophone) and when our son Philippe came to visit we would all sit around my piano and both Phil's would entertain us through the evening. Phil Benson and I liked to cook; we would check with each other: what we were preparing for supper almost daily, it seemed... The four of us had many meals at various restaurants of the St. Petersburg area. Phil liked to speak to us in French; we shared our love for traveling especially in Europe. We liked to sit and listen to Phil tell stories of his music bands in Africa, Europe and in the USA (at one point he was the only white man in the band)... How he rode a bicycle in Paris to go teach his classes... Janis graciously gave us an autographed copy of her book; "From Sweden to Mallorca". She also wrote a published article about Phil buying his own boat back after selling it! Then came the turbulent times when Janis and Phil had accidents caused by the two flights of stairs in their home. So Phil and Janis moved to an Assisted Living facility a few years ago. Luce and I continued to visit Phil and Janis in their new home; still speaking to Phil in French. Yes he maintained a sharp mind throughout. In January, 2016, I wrote the following poem about Phil and Janis (Phil had sold his Tina III for good this time) and included it in a booklet that I gave Phil. Janis passed away in October, 2017. Phil had been in mourning ever since. Luce and I visited Phil until early this summer when we traveled to Canada and Europe as we usually do. We came back in October and I regret not having been to check on him since we came back. As Phil would have said: "C'est la vie mon ami".
Different views
I looked out my deck one morning
in February, friendship seeking
and there it was in its usual place,
the friendly osprey with a fierce-looking face.
It was perched on the upper mast spreader
of the 41-foot Beneteau sailboat ten yards away
with a small fish in one claw, a balance master,
daring other birds to test its resolve
for keeping its meal of the day
In the afternoon the patient osprey
was still there, still holding its prey…
Phil Benson often liked to sit in his deck,
watch the Gulf of Mexico backwaters -
of the Boca Ciega Bay - and check
for the osprey as it claimed its favorite
spot on the same boat mast; For the two, a habit ….
Now the osprey has to seek a different
vantage point, surely with another water view;
the Beneteau sold, simply glided away, indifferent…
Nature stillness contrasting with our need for the new.
Now Phil has also a different view;
He and his wife Janis moved to an
Assisted-Living high-rise, with meals on a tray.
Still overlooking Boca Ciega Bay…
But there’s no Beneteau and no osprey.
___________
Good bye my friend. May the gentle winds of heaven fill your sails to go where you'll meet Janis, the love of your life.. and where you'll enchant the angels with your wit and with your music.
Magdy Battikha/ Treasure Island, Florida.
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Karin Lepasoon posted a condolence
Thursday, November 28, 2019
I was lucky enough to get to know Philip and Janis when they lived in Sweden in the 80ies and Emily and I went to the same boarding school. Emily and I spent many weekends together at her parents home. Philip and Janis always made me feel so welcome and like an extra daughter in their home. Philip used to drive Emily and me to various parties. I particularly remember us going to a toga party wearing bed sheets from Philip’s and Janis closet. Another wonderful memory is when Emily and her parents were sailing in the Mediterranian and came to visit Anki and me who were on the island of Ibiza on vacation. Emily’s parents took us all sailing and we stopped in an absolutely beautiful little bay off the tourist areas, with crystal clear water were we swam, had lunch and enjoyed a great day together. Philip and Janis were always there for us, calmly supporting us in the background, always giving us space to explore. My love and sympathy to Emily, Matt, Peter, Andy and Kate.
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Matthew Benson uploaded photo(s)
Wednesday, November 27, 2019
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Out in the blue water with my Dad, where we felt so free and unburdened. He had the steadiest hand at the helm, always reassuring me that we could get through anything (the choppy Baltic or the Med, the massive roll of the Atlantic or Caribbean, the bluster of the North Sea), and we always did...
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