Philip Clover

Philip Thornton Clover, known affectionately as “Phil,” “Phil Daddy,” “Unckie” and “Guppy” by various family members and friends, died on February 20, 2018 at his home in Chapel Hill, NC. A man of extraordinary intellectual gifts and discipline, he rose to the highest levels of corporate finance while remaining grounded by his love for family, service to community, wry humor, and delight for life’s simple pleasures. He was 82.

Phil was born in New York City on October 1, 1935 to Philip Petrie Clover and Margaret Thornton Clover. After growing up in Germany, Spain and Buenos Aires, Phil’s family settled in Scarsdale, NY where he graduated from High School. Phil attended Yale University and graduated in 1957 with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Administration, a degree that combined his keen analytical skills with his love for gadgets and figuring out “the way things work.”  After college Phil was accepted into General Electric’s Financial Management Program, for which he traveled to GE facilities around the country. One of these was the locomotive plant in Erie, PA, where he met Denise Dennis, his bride of 57 years. They married at the Presbyterian Church of the Covenant in Erie on July 30, 1960, one month before Phil enrolled in Stanford University’s MBA program in management and finance.

After Stanford, Phil continued with General Electric for the next 23 years.   In 1985, Phil left GE to work briefly for ITT Corporation in northern New Jersey, and then served for nine years (1988-97) as Vice President of Finance and Operations for Western Union North America (later First Data Corporation).  When Phil formally retired, his post-professional life was rich and full. He and Denise moved to their beloved Governors Club home in Chapel Hill.

In a life full of achievements, shortly before his death Phil said his greatest achievement is his family. He is survived by the love of his life, Denise; sons Greayer (m. Anne), Ted (m. Beth), and Sam; grandchildren John, Jenna and Juliana; sister Margaret Clover Stillman; sister-in-law Camilla Dennis Decker as well as a niece and nephews.  A graveside service will be held on Friday, September 7 at 11am at Erie Cemetery, 2116 Chestnut St., Erie, PA  16502.