There are a lot of Phillies fans we wish could be here to see this epic season. Here's a slideshow tribute to the Phans we've lost.
Blair Barbara Henry at her first Phillies game in August 2018. She passed away shortly after her third birthday in 2020. From her father Mike Henry: "She was a big fan of the Phanatic and Bryce Harper. The Phillies made sure to send her a birthday package after she met him at the hospital. She would watch games and yell 'Go, Bryce Harper!'"Read moreCourtesy of Mike Henry
After someone you love dies, a joyful moment can feel bittersweet, because they aren’t here to enjoy it. And for Philadelphians, it’s hard to imagine a more joyful sportsmoment than last Sunday, when the Phillies clinched a spot in the World Series.
I asked people to submit photos and memories of the people they wish were here to watch us battle for the championship this weekend.
Blair Barbara Henry at her first Phillies game in August 2018. She passed away from brain cancer shortly after her third birthday in 2020. From her father Mike Henry: "She was a big fan of the Phanatic and Bryce Harper. The Phillies made sure to send her a birthday package after she met him at the hospital. She would watch games and yell 'Go, Bryce Harper!'"Read moreCourtesy of Mike Henry
Catherine (Cass) Morris, pictured in 2017, died in January 2019. From her grandson, Luke Lyons: "My grandmom (Nanny) and I watched over 500 Phillies games together. I know she's up there watching from above with a cold Coors light in her hand to celebrate the NL Champs. I miss her everyday but especially during this time as the team brought us so close together."Read moreCourtesy of Luke Lyons
Tina Lyons passed away this July. From Suzanne McMullen: "She was a die hard Phillies fan and season ticket holder. She was buried in her Chase Utley (she LOVED him) jersey and our entire family all wore Phillies gear to her services because that is exactly how she would want it."Read moreCourtesy of Suzanne McMullen
Joe Silvestri passed away earlier this year from glioblastoma. Pictured with his daughter in June 2019. From his friend Pat Holston: "He was an enormous fan and season ticket holder and I know is celebrating in heaven."Read moreCourtesy of Pat Holston
Brian McMenamin, far right, with his father and two brothers, in 2008 in his house off South Street after the Phillies World Series parade. He died in 2011. From his brother Jeff McMenamin: "He was a huge Phillies fan. He was in attendance for Roy Halladay's playoff no hitter and we both got to experience Game 4 of the 2009 World Series together."Read moreCourtesy of Jeff McMenamin
George T Evans Sr, right with the Phillies jacket, in 1981. He died in April, 2021. From his granddaughter, Kimberly Evans: "He is absolutely doing his happy dance up there knowing how far the guys got this year. He was in attendance at the 1980 World Series."Read moreCourtesy of Kimberly Evans
Charles Dougherty with his granddaughter Brynn Lapszynski at the 2008 parade. He died in 2018. From Brynn Lapszynski, about the parade picture: "Poppy wore a 'throwback' style jacket that said 1980 World Series. He had only gotten it a few days prior at Modell's but for some reason people thought it was actually from 1980 and they kept asking to take pictures with him. He played along the whole time and after each picture we would laugh and laugh. I still have his jacket and am planning on wearing it in his honor to the parade if we are lucky enough to have one this year."Read moreCourtesy of Brynn Lapszynski
Sharon Ellam, left, with her daughter and granddaughter from opening day around six years ago. Ellam died in January, 2021. From her daughter, Stacy Ellam: "My mom was the biggest fan of the Phillies. She was five months pregnant with me when the Phillies won in 1980 and went to the parade. You can say I was born into it. Her last wishes were to be buried in her Chase Utley jersey and her Phillies sweatshirt, and to take along her Bryce Harper jersey. We even asked everyone to come dressed in their Phillies gear for the viewing."Read moreCourtesy of Stacy Ellam
Brian McAndrews in 2020. He died in January 2022. From his sister Laura Morris: "Since he died just this January, I have thrown myself into this season. We bought an early season pass. I bought a Sunday ticket to the game when we clinched the wild card spot. Then this Sunday, I was there again (this time with my daughter, Finley) when they won the game against the Padres. It's painful to not have Brian physically here to watch these wins, but I know he's somewhere out there, saying 'How bout them Phillies!'"Read moreCourtesy of Laura Morris
Joe Maguire in 2008. He died in 2017. From his daughter, Megan Maguire: "My dad, Joe 'Big Joe' Maguire, was born and raised in Olney and a life-long super fan of the Phillies. When he was a kid, he would memorize the stats of every NL East and AL East player. He never missed a game - even, and especially, during the years when the Phillies were terrible. In 1980, he would stand for most of the game in front of the TV - he paced and stressed, and eventually jumped up for joy when they won the World Series."Read moreCourtesy of Joe Maguire
John Sampson, center, with his daughters and granddaughters in 2008. He died in 2014. From his daughter, Amy Sampson Liberi: "He was a lifelong Phillies fan and truly dedicated to watching each game (even if it meant yelling at the TV during their less than stellar seasons). He instilled a love of the Phillies in my three sisters and me, a love that has been more difficult since we lost him, but a love that has remained."Read moreCourtesy of Amy Sampson Liberi
Phil Foster with his daughter, taken Summer 2002 at the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown NY. He died in 2015. From his daughter Lia Foster: "He was a lifelong Philadelphian and lifelong Phillies fan. You'd never see him without at least one piece of Phillies merch on. The Vet was like a second home. He stuck with the team through thick and thin, every year counting down the days 'til pitchers and catchers' while spouting off stats about why that particular year was THE year. We went to countless games together when my sister and I were kids (the fireworks in July were my favorite). The only Dad-daughters trip we were able to take was to Cooperstown in Summer '02. He was passionate about many things, but the Phillies were his number one. I miss my dad a lot, but especially during Red October. He would've loved this team so much."Read moreCourtesy of Lia Foster
Charlie McKelvey (July 9, 1980 - November 6, 2007), above and in the middle below. From his sister, Christen J. Rexing: "He was a die-hard Philadelphia sports fan and was a member of the Phanatic's birthday club so we always celebrated his birthday at a game when we were kids."Read moreCourtesy of Christen J. Rexing
Larry Anastasi, right, in August 2011 with his daughter and grandchild. He died in 2018. From his daughter, Julie Anastasi Kuhn: "Oct. 24 is the 4th anniversary of my dad's death, and out of all the things I miss, right now not being able to share the joy of this Phillies run with him is at the top of my list. It's my first Phillies postseason without him, and I didn't realize how hard that would hit."Read moreCourtesy of Julie Anastasi Kuhn
Lisa Schmoyer, pictured with her grandkids Maisie and JJ Bateman, July 2, 2021 at Citizens Bank Park as the Phillies took on the Padres (we won). She died in December. From her son, Mike Bateman: "Baseball has always been a huge part of my life and my mom has always been right there with it. As a young boy, my mom taught me to throw a baseball. Growing up in Philadelphia, the Phillies were always on and we always cheered or jeered them when necessary. My mom's sister died a couple of years ago and my mom honored her by taking her to one last game as a huge photo on a stick to sit with her. As we celebrate this World Series run now, I only wish my mom could enjoy it with us but she is watching every game with me and I know that."Read moreCourtesy of Mike Bateman
Henry Cloran, left, died in 2011. From his granddaughter, Kait Konopka: "He always had the games on and watching the Phillies was the glue to our family. If he had the chance to watch the Phillies in this World Series, he would be ecstatic. He is the sole reason as to why I tried out and became a Philadelphia Phillies Ballgirl."Read moreCourtesy of Kait Konopka
Laurel Stell, left, in Clearwater in 2013, with her sister Sara. Laurel died in 2015. From Sara Stell: "She was my very best friend and my favorite person to go to Phillies games with, or watch games with at bars."Read moreCourtesy of Sara Stell
Louis J. Ciccone, center in blue, on his 80th birthday in July. He died last month. From his daughter, Kristin Ciccone Gole: "He could rattle off names of team members, stats, plays from games, and, of course, storied gossip about his favorite team. On his 80th birthday, Lou was surprised with a suite at Citizens Bank Park by his family and friends - we called it 'Louie's 80th Inning Stretch.' He wanted 'one more game and one more hot dog.' We told him no dad you'll make it to another, you'll feel better soon. But he was right. That night is one of my favorite memories ever. I can't believe he's not here to see them in the World Series."Read moreCourtesy of Kristin Gole
Stanley Shingles at the ballpark with his two kids, around 2005. He died in November 2019. From his daughter, Melissa Shingles: "I have since moved to Arizona, but I have been flying back to Philly for the NLDS and NLCS and will fly back next week for the World Series. I miss my dad terribly, and no more so than right now, when I wish he could be sitting next to me. I am who I am generally because of my dad, and I attribute my love of the Phillies to him."Read moreCourtesy of Melissa Shingles
Jim Kiernan just before he died in July. From his daughter Olivia Long: "My dad was born in 1949 and spent his whole life rooting for the Phillies. He even met my mom while watching the Phillies in the playoffs in the early 80s. I wouldn't be here if it weren't for his love of the team. I so wish he was here to see this, especially because last time they won the World Series he didn't have grandkids who were Phillies fans! We are all cheering for him as much as the team."Read moreCourtesy of Olivia Long
Steve Cornell with his son and sister at game 5 of the 2008 World Series. From his sister Kathie Laverick: "I am so happy that I was able to experience that night with him. He passed away in April at the start of the 2009 season. I miss him so much, and I know he would be loving this World Series run by this team."Read moreCourtesy of Kathie Laverick
Charlie McGeehan Jr (right), pictured with his son Charlie at Yankee Stadium in 2009, died in 2010. From his son Charlie: "Both of my parents were huge Phillies fans and raised my sisters and me to be the same. They would have both been so excited to see this team in the World Series. In addition to being a big Phillies fan, my Dad coached the Harriton High School baseball team for many years and also the Carpenter Cup All-Star team for the Central and Del Val leagues, who played at the Vet."Read moreCourtesy of Charlie McGeehan
Michael (Mike) Sands at 9 in 1994. He died in October 2019. From his mother Nanci: "Michael (who went by Mike) loved his Philly teams and I know right now he's the loudest Phillies fan in heaven."Read moreCourtesy of Nanci Sands
Kevin Oleksiak, pictured in 2018, died last March. From his wife, Mary Oleksiak: "My husband grew up a Phillies fan, recalled listening to games on his transistor radio going to bed most nights every summer. Mike Schmidt was his all time favorite player; he loved Citizens Bank Park, and the 2008 win was big in our house. It's so exciting to see them in the Series again, but it makes me miss him even more to not share this with him."Read moreCourtesy of Mary Oleksiak
Domenick Fortino, pictured in 2008, died in 2019. From his granddaughter Julia Fortino: "He spent his 91 years of life rooting for the Phillies. As the third anniversary of his death was in October, we have peace in knowing that he is smiling down on his Philadelphia Phillies. His wife, Eleanor, spends every night cheering for the Phillies in his honor (pretending that the players can actually hear her if she yells loud enough)."Read moreCourtesy of Julia Fortino
Tim Woestman, at the home run derby in 2018, when Bryce Harper won as a National (Kyle Schwarber came in second). Woestman, who was a Phillies usher for several years, died last month. From his daughter, Melissa: "At his funeral instead of mass cards we handed out Phillies 'tickets' that had the pic of him and the Phanatic. So many people have told me they are sure the Phillies have been winning because Tim is up in Heaven making it happen."Read moreCourtesy of Melissa Westman-Cherry
John Lipenta, center, with his sons outside Wrigley Field in July of 2015. From his son, Chris Lipenta: "His passion for the Phillies is what made us the fans we are. I know he's with us."Read moreCourtesy of Chris Lipenta
George Keating, right, when his family splurged for Diamond Club for his last game, before he died in December 2014. From his daughter, Anne Keating: "I fell asleep as a kid with him listening to games on his radio. Such great memories and I miss him being here to watch this year."Read moreCourtesy of Anne Keating
Fred Lichtner on June 10, 2010. He died in 2019. From his daughter, Anna Richards: "My father, Fred Lichtner, was a diehard #1 Phillies Fan. My entire family has been saying that he is definitely up in heaven cheering the loudest."Read moreCourtesy of Anna Richards
Guy Selby Townsend, Jr., in March, 2018, at the Phillies Spring Training. He died June 3, 2022. From his daughter, Erin Staudt: "Guy loved the Phillies, traveling down to Florida each spring to watch spring training. His family could hear him yelling from Heaven when they advanced to the World Series."Read moreCourtesy of Erin Staudt
Kim Hamill, left, in 2010, died in 2012. From her daughter, Kerri Sendek: "The Phils brought her so much joy. She would have absolutely loved this team. Celebrating their success is very bittersweet for me."Read moreCourtesy of Kerri Sendek
Justin T. Chandler, Sr., in April 2021. He passed away in June, 2022. From Julia Bracken: “He was a true believer in all things Philly. He loved watching the Phils through the highs and lows. He witnessed the 1980 and 2008 World Series Champs and predicted in June that they’d be in the series in 2022!”Read moreCourtesy of Julia Bracken
Claire Dowdy McGeehan, pictured in October 2017, died in March of 2022. From her son, Charlie: "She would have been so excited to see this team in the World Series. Both of my parents were huge Phillies fans and raised my sisters and me to be the same. We won tickets to the NLCS and World Series in '93 when I was in 1st grade. My Mom got the World Series ticket to go with me because my Dad had gone in 1980."Read moreCourtesy of Charlie McGeehan
Mike Kopec, far left (in sunglasses), taken in 2018 at the Red Sox spring training facility as they squared off against the Phillies. Kopec died December 2021. From his stepson Andy Gury: "Mike loved the Phillies. He was a catcher in college and his favorite player was JT Realmuto." And: "We miss him so much and he would be ecstatic right now.
As a side note Mike attended the 1980 series at the Vet with my brother, Glenn Gury and said it was one of his most favorite memories."Read moreCourtesy of Andy Gury
Christopher Grau from September 2005 with his first grandson. He died in 2017. From his daughter, Kathryn: "Everyone in my family could tell you, if my dad loved anything it was his family and the Phillies (we still aren’t sure which one he loved more). I can only imagine how happy my dad would be to see the Phillies in the World Series."Read moreCourtesy of Kathryn Grau
From left to right, Bob VanEmburgh, Kevin VanEmburgh, Jim VanEmburgh, and Edward (Bud) Swift, who died in January at the age of 96. The picture is from 2017 outside of McGillin's, after which they all headed to a Phillies game. From his nephew, Kevin VanEmburgh: "This was our yearly trip of us guys getting together from all over the country now and going to a Phillies game. "Read moreCourtesy of Kevin VanEmburgh
Frederick Thomas Rhodewalt, who died August 19, 2011, pictured with his two kids in 1992. From his daughter, Lauren Rhodewalt: "My dad was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2004 and passed away in 2011. I remember in high school, watching the Phils take the World Series in 2008 and my dad crying and being filled with so much joy despite his slow decline from metastatic disease. My brother and I were raised on Philly teams and I couldn't help but have a bittersweet reaction to Sunday's win because I wish he was with me. I still wear his 2008 champs shirt."Read moreCourtesy of Lauren Rhodewalt
Naomi Thompson in 2021, with her Bryce Harper jersey, died in June, 2022. From her son, Rick Bennett: "When she passed I wanted to do a tribute to my mother by putting Bryce Harper's jersey she wore in the coffin."Read moreCourtesy of Rick Bennett
Robirdie Sharp (far left) in 2017. She died last year. From her nephew Don Russell: "She took me to my first game at Connie Mack in 1964, and we went to games together every season (with her sons Mark & Jim) for the next 50+ years. Even when we were separated by miles, we talked Phillies baseball on the phone. She loved all the sluggers: Allen, Hayes, Schmidt and Harper. When we buried her, I slipped a piece of Vet Stadium turf into her grave. This is the first championship I won't get to celebrate with her."Read moreCourtesy of Don Russell
I am a health and science reporter at The Inquirer, covering academic research, biotech, scientific misconduct, and any other health/science news that's relevant to a Philly audience. My work is driven by evidence and empathy.
