Philip Connington Sears, 79, Pound Ridge resident of 40 years who served in public and volunteer positions

Philip Connington Sears

Philip Connington Sears, 79, of Somers died Jan. 12  after a battle with esophageal cancer. His family said he will be missed “for his quiet strength, humility, and patience and, as a man who loved deeply, thought clearly, and lived meaningfully.” He lived in Pound Ridge for nearly 40 years.

Sears was born March 3, 1946, in Boston, Mass., to Richard H. and Elva Connington Sears. He graduated from Silver Lake Regional High School in 1964 and earned a Bachelor of Science in geology from Marietta College in 1968. He served honorably in the U.S. Army from 1968 to 1970. Upon returning to civilian life, he followed his passion for the natural world, earning a master’s degree in oceanography from Old Dominion University in 1973.

In 1969, he married Carolynn “Carrie” Reppert. The couple raised two children, Jessica and Jacob, and had two granddaughters.

Sears professional life was defined by his passion for the seas and commitment to the Earth, his family said. It began at Van Houten Associates in 1973, where he analyzed data for the design of offshore ports around the world. He joined AKRF in 1987 as an environmental consultant and pioneer in the early years of environmental protection. He strove to live his values through a simple, sustainable lifestyle.

Sears was an active member of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Northern Westchester, serving on the board, managing the testing of the drinking water, and helping in numerous ways. As a Pound Ridge resident for nearly 40 years, he served on the Water Control Commission and the Water/Sewage Task Force, bringing his professional expertise to civic service. He volunteered at the local food pantry in Mount Kisco and with Neighbor to Neighbor in Pound Ridge.

In his youth, he was a water skier and boatsman; later in life, he took to the skies as a pilot and skydiver. His family said despite global travels to over 35 countries on six continents, he remained loyal to his “Beantown” roots and the Red Sox.

Sears was predeceased by his parents, Richard and Elva Sears; and his sister Janet. He is survived by his wife Carrie; children Jessica (Dan) and Jacob (Megan), two granddaughters; and other family members.

A memorial service will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Northern Westchester, located at 236 South Bedford Road, Mount Kisco, Saturday, March 21, at 3 p.m. He will be buried in a private service at a later date in Burial Hill, Pound Ridge. 

Donations in his memory may be made to The Pantry, P.O. Box 834, Mount Kisco, NY 10549, or at thepantryny.org.