Phillip Allen Sayles Jr. ’42

Phil died Dec. 21, 2002, in La Jolla, Calif., from complications of radiation treatment. One of our brightest, he had a brilliant career in retailing and real estate development.

Phil prepared for Princeton at St. George's School in Newport, R.I. At Princeton, he earned highest honors in economics and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. He was on the JV soccer team and was a member of Colonial Club. During WWII Phil was an artillery battery commander in the European theater, attaining the rank of captain. He then attended Harvard Business School and graduated at the top of his class.

Phil had a remarkable career at R.H. Macy in NYC. He rose from buyer to corporate vice president of merchandising and assistant to the president. In 1966, Joske's of Houston, a privately owned retail chain, hired Phil as president and general manager. Eventually, he oversaw liquidation of the firm. That experience led to partnerships in many successful real estate ventures, including several with former governor of Texas John Connolly.

In 1958, Phil married Maria Agripina Popescu. They had one daughter, Carina '83. To Maria, Carina, and Carina's two children, the class extends its sincere condolences.

The Class of 1942