By blood, we were first cousins, however, through the transits of co-existence, we considered ourselves brothers. We shared many youth shaping experiences together at 21 Terry Plains Road, Bloomfield, under the guiding tutelage of Jimmy Janes, Susan Janes, and Sarah Thomas (to me respectively, Dad, Auntie, and Mom). The dining room would often rock with some ubiquitous, frivolous utterance from us that, if lucky, occasioned a smile around the table from the elders which let us know we were safe for the moment.  Our separate ways as we drifted into adulthood kept us apart yet in the mid 60's we were linked by a certain similarity of purpose, The Peace Corps - India for Philip, .... Ghana, West Africa for me. In the latter 70's, after administrative service with CARE, Philip launched into the Gallery years. Now the passion defined the man with a love for art as cultivated through his travels in Southeast Asia and Africa. The Arts Exclusive Gallery  represented his soul destined to make the world community a better place for all. Optimism in the face of adversity was his business card. Ever positive about distant opportunities and the path forward, he was characterized by an enthusiasm that was inspiring to us, the observers, yet often questioned as unrealistic. But that was Philip and who wanted to interfere and risk bursting the sustaining bubble. He reached out to build alliances and supported worthy charities with a link to the Arts. His civic energy extended well beyond the most recent Philip M. Janes Gallery. He was a volunteer and Board member of both the Farmington Valley Symphony Orchestra (for which he served as "guest conductor" on several occasions) and The Capital Area Substance Abuse Council (CASAC).

And so, my brother, we will maintain the vision and reminisce as we consider a myriad of brilliant prospects for tomorrow .... just as you would have us do.   We remember!

Stephen R. Thomas, Cincinnati, Ohio

October 20, 2018