Obituary of Philip Blanco

Philip Blanco, a brilliant mind and kind soul, passed away peacefully on November 27, 2024 at the age of 91. Born on July 3, 1933, in Arecibo, Puerto Rico, he spent his formative years in Manhattan, New York.

Philip rose to senior executive at known retail outlets, Lane Bryant, and B’Altmans. He finished his career as CEO of Bloomingdales direct marketing division.

Philip's life was a testament to his intelligence, wit, and passion for learning. After serving four years in the Air Force, he attended Hunter College, where he earned Phi Beta Kappa honors. He later pursued a doctoral degree at Columbia University.

Beyond his academic pursuits, Philip was an accomplished athlete. He played baseball for the Air Force and basketball for Hunter College, where he excelled as a point guard. In his later years, he continued to enjoy sports, playing softball, tennis, and golf. He was an avid Yankee fan and a NY Giants fan (up until this year)!

Philip possessed a remarkable intellect and sharp wit. He was well-versed in a wide range of subjects, from physics and mathematics to poetry and sports. To keep his mind sharp, he would often solve the New York Times crossword puzzle in his head.

A true intellectual, Philip lectured on religion and philosophy at various institutions and even founded the ROMEOS (Retired Old Men Eating Out) discussion group, where he and his friends would engage in stimulating conversations on a variety of topics. He was truly beloved and will be deeply missed by his family and friends.

Philip is survived by his loving wife, Eleanor Blanco, his Daughters Laura Legros and Linda Borkowski, Son-in-Law, Alan Legros, Son-in-Law James Borkowski, Grandchildren Alison Murphy, Jenna Price, Lauren Borkowski-Sordelet and Matthew Borkowski, Philip also had three Great Grandchildren, Carson, Harper, and Rory.

Rest in Peace