Philip Saraf, was a well-known Savannah artist and chef, beloved brother, uncle, cousin, mentor and friend. Uncle Philip passed away peacefully June 9, 2016, at Hospice House in Savannah, surrounded by family and friends. He was 86 years of age. The Mass of Christian Burial was held June 14 in St. James Catholic Church.
Phillip John Saraf was born April 23, 1930 in Savannah, Georgia, the second child and first son of George A. Saraf and Mary Gannam. He was baptized on June 8, 1930 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Philip lost his hearing at a very early age, so school was difficult for him. He attended Sacred Heart Catholic School and graduated the same year as his sister, Mary Ann (see photo below). He attended Benedictine High School for a while and later attended vocational school where he trained to be a licensed dental technician. Philip did amazing work crafting crowns, bridges and dentures and worked in dental labs in Atlanta, Albany, and Savannah for 47 years.
Philip's first attempt at painting was when he was working in Atlanta. Largely self-taught, he experimented with a variety of media - oil, acrylic and watercolor - but watercolor was his favorite. He liked chickens and included them in his paintings with rural settings. From these humble beginnings, Philip's paintings now grace the walls of most, if not all, of his siblings, nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, friends and acquaintances, and all those who purchased paintings from him through the years. Philip painted from the heart and saw beauty in the world around him. His paintings elevate the mundanity of everyday life to art, capturing moments in time - simpler times far away from our fast-paced world. When describing the stories behind his art, he would sometimes remark: "Since I am deaf, I hear with my eyes."
His paintings have been featured at art festivals, galleries and exhibits around the south. In 2010, his painting entitled “Grandmother Comin’ Home”, was chosen to be part of the Art Center of Coastal Georgia’s “Treasures from the Telfair II” exhibit in the Greer Gallery.
Philip was a giver and generous to a fault. Anyone who knew him well, knew never to express how much they liked one of his paintings, an item in one of his many collections, a serving dish or any other object in his home, lest he part with a prized possession and force you to take it home with you. He loved to be with people - to feed them with the beauty of his paintings, his stories, and the epicurean delights he created from scratch in his kitchen.
Philip was a teacher and a mentor, always ready to share his knowledge and love for painting, cooking and life with anyone who showed an eagerness to learn or listen. He was a deeply religious man - a devout Catholic - always thankful for the simple joys in life and the richness and beauty of God's creation. Philip was a kind and gentle soul and believed that every day was a gift from God.
Phillip is survived by his sisters: Phylis Tabakian McShane, Antoinette Kastensmidt, Mary Ann Fischer, Rose Tootle, and Iris Smith and her husband David; his brothers and their spouses: George and Nell Saraf and Antoine and Beth Saraf; 25 nephews and nieces, and too many great and great great nephews and nieces to count!
The photographs and newspaper clippings below trace Philip's life from a babe on his mother's knee sitting beside his sister Phyllis, to his schools years at Sacred Heart Catholic School and graduation day, to the family photo taken a couple of years before his father was murdered on June 13, 1941; to his tiny kitchen in downtown Savannah, to Philip with his mother Mary and seven siblings at Ft. Screven in 1985, to his niece her children and Steve circa 1986, to a more recent photo with his siblings.