R.I.P. Phillip R.Dennis

those of us who have been manilow fans for many years all know of Phillip Dennis as his wardrobe director for past tours.

I can't say enough about how AWSOME he looked back then and it was not only because of his classy good looks but because of the man behind the scenes who helped create those snazzy designs. This little short blog is just to pay my respects to Phillip, his family, and his friends who will miss him in their lives. As a survivor of quite a few members of my family, as well as friends who have gone before me at the hand of this horrible disease, I know what it's like to watch someone you love go through such pain. It was wonderful to know he went peacefully.

I am including his obituary for those who might not have seen it.


Daily News Salisbury, MD Phillip Robert Dennis April 12, 2009 GRANADA HILLS, Calif. --

Phillip R. Dennis, 51, died peacefully Wednesday, April 8, 2009, at his home in Granada Hills, surrounded by his family after a lengthy battle with cancer. Phillip grew up on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. After graduating from James M. Bennett High School, he studied costume design and retail advertising at Columbus College of Art and Design in Columbus, Ohio, from which he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1979. Phillip had a thriving career in the entertainment business for more than 29 years, where he served as costume designer and/or wardrobe director for numerous feature films, television, music and theatre productions. Most notably, Phillip was the wardrobe director for music legends Barry Manilow and Elton John, respectively. With each of these artists, Phillip traveled around the world many times and remained close friends with both. Phillip touched so many people's lives with his generous heart, quick wit and his love of life. He loved making people laugh, spending time with his good friends and celebrating holidays with his family. He was preceded in death by his mother, Eunice Brittingham Dennis; his father, Manuel Willis Dennis; and a brother, James Richard. He is survived by three sisters, Carolyn Cheek of Savannah, Ga., Jeanne van der Zee of Huntersville, N.C., and Susan Riley (Paul) of Fruitland; six brothers, Willis Lee Dennis (Linda) of Queenstown, Md., George Dennis (Jinny) of Willards, Curtis Dennis (Bonnie) of Pocomoke City, Sam Dennis of Cordova, Tenn., William Dennis (Robin) of Roswell, Ga., and David Dennis (Kelly) of Anchorage, Alaska; and 19 nieces and nephews. A funeral service will be held Friday at 2 p.m. at Bounds Funeral Home on East Main Street in Salisbury, where friends may call one hour prior. Pastor Kathy Hoyle will officiate. Interment will follow in Dennis Cemetery on Powellville Road in Willards.

In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy in his memory may be made to Life Crisis Center Inc., PO Box 387, Salisbury, Md. 21803.