Dear Family and Friends,

It is with sorrow that I write to tell you of the death of my brother, Philip Mitchell Kayal, on Thursday, December 21, 2023.

It's a short story, and a sad yet happy one. About 4 weeks ago we celebrated Phil's 80th birthday at a fine restaurant. He was energetic and happy. Five days later he was found by friends passed out on the floor of his apartment. Examinations over the next week at RWJ/Barnabas Hospital in NJ revealed that he had a virulent form of Leukemia and that his body chemistry had completely collapsed. Thirty days of chemo treatments were recommended and Phil started them, but later advised us of his desire to stop.

The family, all except for one of his nephews, gathered at his bedside, along with Bishop George Lucey, a dear friend of his to discuss his preferred treatment. Phil told us that he understood that the chemo offered no guarantee of success, but that his affairs were in order, that he owed and was owed nothing, that he had a long, happy and just life, that he felt lucky to be so loved by his family, that there was no point in stretching out his discomfort and that he was ready to meet God. He stopped the chemo.

The rest was truly in God's hands. Happily, the missing nephew showed up alone at Phil's bedside the next day and comforted him. Clearly, to Phil, this indicated that he had made the right decision. He died that night in his sleep, probably a happy man.

I had always referred to Phil, as "my little brother" whom our mother said I was forever responsible for protecting, since he was younger by 2 years. So, his grave lies under the protective presence of a large statue of St. Joseph, my namesake. His protection continues.

Phil will be waked on Thursday, December 28th from 4 to 8 pm at:
The Caggiano Memorial Home
62 Grove St.
Montclair, NJ, 07042
973 744 6667

His funeral ceremony will begin with a Funeral Mass said by the Most Rev. George Lucey on Friday, December 29th at 9 am at:
St. Francis of Assisi American National Catholic Church
195 Ridgewood Ave.
Glen Ridge, NJ 07028
973 800 2357
Following Mass, his burial will take place at St. Charles Cemetery, 2015 Wellwood Ave., Farmingdale, NY, 11735.


For those who attend a small repast will be offered at a local restaurant to be determined.