The Yearbook Killer by Tom Philbin
Probably one of his proudest moments.
In 1981 his first book "The Yearbook Killer"
was published. This painting of the book's cover
was made by his youngest daughter Mary.
The Test- A Journey of Love
On Saturday April 26, 2014 I went to Hofstra University to take my Library Content Specialty Test (CST) for the 12th time. My family and friends knew of the three years I had struggled to pass the test.
I knew from the beginning that the CST was known for being a difficult test to pass. It was a required test and the final piece for me to become a certified School Library Media Specialist.
I signed up to take my first test December 11, 2010. Less than a year later (November 2011) my father was diagnosed with Stage 4 Lung Cancer. By that time, I had attempted the test four times. From November 2011-June 2013, my life was more difficult than ever. My family and I were driving my father into the city to get chemotherapy at Memorial Sloan Kettering.
Over the months, I kept attempting to pass the test, to no avail. I remember meeting a woman who told me her friend took the test 15 times, and I admired her friend’s ability to "never give up."
After taking the test June 8, 2013, I decided to take a break. There was too much going on. My father was in a bad car accident and still getting treatment at Sloan Kettering. In November 2013, his health began to rapidly decline and on January 17, 2014 his doctor told us there was nothing more they could do. He passed away February 27, 2014. The saddest day of my life.
As one could imagine, taking the CST so many times can make a person feel "less than intelligent." My father was my strongest advocate for my passing the test. Him, my mother, and sister, always got angry, because they knew I was smart, yet could not get past this test. I graduated Queens College with a 3.88 average yet I couldn't pass this darn test? I decided to take the test one more time. I signed up to take it April 26, 2014. Why not give it one more try? If I failed this one, I had the new version of the test to take in the fall of 2014. Fresh start.
The day I left for the test was a dreary and overcast day. I have some of my father's ashes in a small urn, and I decided to take them with me for spiritual support.
After the 4-hour test, I walked outside, looked at the sky, and began to cry. The rain had stopped, the clouds were a deep creamy gray, and the sun rays were bursting through them like lights from heaven. I knew this had to be good. On May 27, the three month anniversary of his passing, I got the results. I had passed the test! I then knew he had been with me!
For a long time, I was ashamed to tell people how many times I had taken the test, but when I do, they are amazed at my perseverance.
Looking back, I know my father truly understood what I was going through. You see..... he's a published writer. When he submitted his first novel over 30 years ago, it was rejected by publishing companies more than 30 times, but he never gave up, nor did I.
We had a party to celebrate!
On Saturday April 26, 2014 I went to Hofstra University to take my Library Content Specialty Test (CST) for the 12th time. My family and friends knew of the three years I had struggled to pass the test.
I knew from the beginning that the CST was known for being a difficult test to pass. It was a required test and the final piece for me to become a certified School Library Media Specialist.
I signed up to take my first test December 11, 2010. Less than a year later (November 2011) my father was diagnosed with Stage 4 Lung Cancer. By that time, I had attempted the test four times. From November 2011-June 2013, my life was more difficult than ever. My family and I were driving my father into the city to get chemotherapy at Memorial Sloan Kettering.
Over the months, I kept attempting to pass the test, to no avail. I remember meeting a woman who told me her friend took the test 15 times, and I admired her friend’s ability to "never give up."
After taking the test June 8, 2013, I decided to take a break. There was too much going on. My father was in a bad car accident and still getting treatment at Sloan Kettering. In November 2013, his health began to rapidly decline and on January 17, 2014 his doctor told us there was nothing more they could do. He passed away February 27, 2014. The saddest day of my life.
As one could imagine, taking the CST so many times can make a person feel "less than intelligent." My father was my strongest advocate for my passing the test. Him, my mother, and sister, always got angry, because they knew I was smart, yet could not get past this test. I graduated Queens College with a 3.88 average yet I couldn't pass this darn test? I decided to take the test one more time. I signed up to take it April 26, 2014. Why not give it one more try? If I failed this one, I had the new version of the test to take in the fall of 2014. Fresh start.
The day I left for the test was a dreary and overcast day. I have some of my father's ashes in a small urn, and I decided to take them with me for spiritual support.
After the 4-hour test, I walked outside, looked at the sky, and began to cry. The rain had stopped, the clouds were a deep creamy gray, and the sun rays were bursting through them like lights from heaven. I knew this had to be good. On May 27, the three month anniversary of his passing, I got the results. I had passed the test! I then knew he had been with me!
For a long time, I was ashamed to tell people how many times I had taken the test, but when I do, they are amazed at my perseverance.
Looking back, I know my father truly understood what I was going through. You see..... he's a published writer. When he submitted his first novel over 30 years ago, it was rejected by publishing companies more than 30 times, but he never gave up, nor did I.
We had a party to celebrate!
Harborfields Library Tribute to Tom Philbin
Tom Philbin loved the library. As an author, he often spoke at them. His favorite library was Harborfields Public Library where he was a regular patron. He loved the staff and they loved him. After he passed away Carol Albano and her staff payed tribute to him by making this display to honor his memory.
Click the image to visit the library website.
Tom and Catherine's 50th Anniversary
“Brilliant, vibrant, ecstatic, stunning…I could heap on one adjective after another to describe what this world looked and felt like, but they’d fall short. I felt like I was being born. Not reborn, or born again. Just born.” He also explains it is all about LOVE. Our spouses await us in a beautiful world." ~ Proof of Heaven by Eben Alexander, MD
Thomas J. Philbin on Replay. Video created by his granddaughter Anna.
Click the picture!
Tribute to Thomas Joseph Philbin Jr. Made by Fives Funeral Home, Smithtown
Click the picture and enjoy! Watch in full screen mode for best experience.
Letter of Love December 2014
by
Catherine Philbin
by
Catherine Philbin
Grandpa Bear
This was a gift from my father to my daughter Anna Celia Lundy. He adored his grandchildren. A teddy bear with the words "It's a Boy!" embroidered on it. It will forever remind me of his preoccupied mind and big heart. I'm sure he saw it in the store, and thought it was small, cute and perfect for his four-year-old granddaughter. She is now thirteen and still loves that bear to pieces.
She takes Grandpa Bear everywhere.
This was a gift from my father to my daughter Anna Celia Lundy. He adored his grandchildren. A teddy bear with the words "It's a Boy!" embroidered on it. It will forever remind me of his preoccupied mind and big heart. I'm sure he saw it in the store, and thought it was small, cute and perfect for his four-year-old granddaughter. She is now thirteen and still loves that bear to pieces.
She takes Grandpa Bear everywhere.
Father and Daughter
The Observer - October 1974. Tom Philbin's youngest child Mary gives him advice on how to fix things.
World's Greatest Father
June 21, 1981. Be it known that Thomas Philbin Junior received his honorary certificate deeming him the "World's Greatest Father." A title that was well deserved. Each word stated in the certificate is absolutely what our father gave us.
When my mother was a little girl, she and her friends would play outside and walk along steel pipes at the Biograph Studios in the Bronx. It was always a fond childhood memory. One year on Christmas my father surprised her with a beautiful hand drawn memory by her daughter Mary's friend
Lilith Jones.