SAVANNAH, GEORGIA - Philip Solomons, at the age of 92, passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, November 26, surrounded by the love and support of his devoted family.  His was a life of quiet strength, tireless diligence and great love for his family and his community.

Born in Savannah on September 25, 1919, he spoke fondly of growing in a time when life moved more slowly and there was ample room to roam and explore the surrounding woods.  His love of the outdoors led to a lifelong interest and involvement with the Boy Scouts, where he achieved the rank of Eagle Scout and the Order of the Arrow, later becoming a volunteer leader as an adult and subsequently receiving the Silver Beaver award for his years of involvement and support.

After graduating from the local public schools, he attended Armstrong College (now Armstrong Atlantic State University) for a year before going to Georgia Tech, where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Management.  He was always deeply appreciative of the foundation provided by that year at Armstrong and, with his wife Shirley, later endowed The Philip and Shirley Solomons Eminent Scholar Chair in the Department of Economics.  In 2009, AASU recognized his life of service to the school and his community by bestowing an Honorary Doctor of Letters Degree.

Upon graduation from college, he served in the Army Air Corp. during World War II and again in the Korean War, attaining the rank of Captain before returning to Savannah to begin his career at Solomons Company, the family pharmaceutical distribution business, which was founded as a small apothecary shop in 1845.  During his 47 years with the company, he became its President and CEO, leading it through significant growth, including successful acquisitions of the other two local wholesale firms and becoming one of the foremost companies in the region, serving pharmacies and hospitals in Georgia, Florida and South Carolina, and holding positions on the national board of the industry’s trade association.

While at Georgia Tech in Atlanta, he met and soon after graduation married the love of his life, Shirley Massell.  Their devotion to one another was complete and together they raised three sons alongside the family business.  As parents they were always role models and mentors, encouraging and supporting.  That the boys chose to return to Savannah and work in the family business was additional testimony to the love and respect in which their parents were held.

Among his many community and civic involvements were lifelong membership and support of Congregation Mickve Israel, fifty-seven years in the Rotary Club of Savannah, and past-presidency of the Savannah Benevolent Association.  His generous nature and genuine love for Savannah were evident from his significant interest and philanthropic support of so many of the area’s causes, institutions and organizations.  His avocations included fishing, gardening, bird watching, and nature photography during the many vacation trips he and Shirley so enjoyed.

He was pre-deceased by his parents Isaiah Abraham (I.A.) Solomons Jr. and Lena Schulhafer Solomons, his wife Shirley, and his brother I.A. Solomons III.  He is survived by his three sons and daughters-in-law:  Philip Jr. (Cathy), Ralph (Carol), and Richard (Helen) and his five grandchildren:  Delia, Danyse, Erin, Caleb, and Anne.  His final months were eased greatly by the devoted caring and attentions of Carmen Gutierrez, ably assisted at the end by the professional support of Hospice Savannah.

A memorial service will be held at Congregation Mickve Israel, 20 E. Gordon Street, on Monday, November 28th, at 11:00 a.m. followed by visitation in the adjacent Mordecai Sheftall Memorial Hall.  Burial will be private at Bonaventure Cemetery.  Additional visitation will be observed on Monday and Tuesday from 3:00 – 8:00 p.m. at 31 E. 49th Street.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Armstrong Atlantic State University, the Coastal Empire Council of the Boy Scouts of America, or the Congregation Mickve Israel Building Fund.