Obituary

Corey, philip george, longtime miami resident and community leader, 76, passed away in miami on august 19, 2015, following a recent illness. A liver transplant recipient in 2007, phil became a passionate supporter of the miami transplant institute at the university of miami miller school of medicine, playing a key role in fundraising and awareness efforts as co-chair of its board of directors.  he was the recipient of its 2011 and 2012 humanitarian award.  he also was a strong advocate for um’s sylvester comprehensive cancer center, the miami lighthouse for the blind and the chapman partnership for the homeless, where he served on the board of directors. Phil’s love for um was also evident in his service on the citizens board and his support of student athletes through his work on the hurricane club council and the living scholars program.  he was named an honorary alumnus of the university and was a recipient of the school’s prestigious iron arrow, the highest honor bestowed by um. Born on january 14, 1939 to philip george and olga corey in charleston, west virginia, phil grew up in charleston until leaving to attend ohio state university.  there he received bs and ms degrees in microbiology.  upon graduating, he began a long and successful career in the food business, beginning with assignments for stouffer’s in illinois and california. Following a return to west virginia for a stint in the family business, he entered the meat industry by joining deltec international.  when deltec determined it wanted to enter the seafood business, phil was sent to australia with a brief case and a notepad”¦and no idea whatsoever about seafood. The rest is history, as phil eventually became one of the pioneers of the modern shrimp business in the u.S.  from deltec he moved to miami to join seafood importer empress international in the early 1970s.  in 1979 he founded his own seafood importing company, seafood exchange of florida, where he was recognized throughout the industry as a trailblazer in the shrimp business, introducing new product forms to the marketplace throughout his career. He was especially instrumental in the advancement of shrimp farming and production in ecuador, now one of the world’s leading shrimp-producing nations. He was a lifelong advocate for seafood through his role in key trade associations, including the national fisheries institute, the national shrimp industry association and the global aquaculture alliance. Phil was known for his seemingly infinite number of close relationships with customers, suppliers and just about anyone he met.  he earned a reputation for trust and fairness among all who associated with him. An avid auto racing fan, phil even raced cars professionally for a time.  in the 1980s he and ralph sanchez staged the miami grand prix, a professional road race through the streets of downtown miami.  he loved mountain biking and road cycling and often could be seen climbing the key biscayne bridge on weekend mornings. He also loved hiking in the mountain west, where one of his favorite accomplishments was hiking the grand canyon. Phil married linda hoy in 1973 and took increasingly greater pleasure every year in acknowledging the many wonderful years they had spent together. She truly was his best friend. He is survived by linda and his brother, michael. Visitation was held  friday, august 28 from 6-9 pm at stanfill funeral home.  funeral service was held on saturday, august 29 at 11 am at first united methodist church of coral gables, 536 coral way, coral gables, fl  33134. Immediately following the service, friends and family will gather to celebrate phil’s life at the university of miami’s newman alumni center, 6200 san amaro drive, coral gables, fl  33146. What an extraordinary life phil was privileged to enjoy!  gifts in memory of philip g. Corey may be made to the following organizations where he was so instrumental:
sylvester comprehensive cancer center, attn. Sylvester development office, po box 016960 (m-867), miami, fl  33101.
University of miami miller school of medicine ““ miami transplant institute (note “miami transplant institute” in check memo field), attn: james konschnik, director of development mti, office of medical development, 1500 nw 12 ave ““ suite 1020e, miami, fl  33136.
Miami lighthouse for the blind, 601 sw 8th ave, miami, fl  33130.
Chapman partnership for the homeless, 1550 north miami ave, miami, fl  33136.
Graveside service will be held 11:00 a.M. Saturday, september 5, 2015 at sunset memorial park, south charleston, wv with pastor richard mahan officiating.