By Mario Martinez (Additional reporting by Steven Rodas and Armando Sultan) —
Many are still coping with the sudden loss of Kashic “Sheek” Phillip, 21, accounting major from Jersey City, who left behind a legacy of peace and magnanimity.
“[He was] so humble,” said Phillip’s brother, Kariem. “[He] never got into fights. There was no one that didn’t like him; [he] always wanted to do something positive. He always respected and looked up to me. Everything is just so bottled up right now. NJCU and TKE has been such a positive influence on him.”
Phillip was a member of the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity at the NJCU campus chapter who passed away on October 23, 2013.
“[He was a] real person. No facade. A true person in the world,” said David Simone, NJCU alumni and TKE member, about his fallen fraternity brother.
“He was like my son,” said Sharline “Julie” Williams, Phillip’s aunt. “The family’s very close. They are always together. Sheek never talked much. He always smiled, all the time. Whatever you ask him to do, he is very giving. He is the first one to feed you, and comfort you. [He is] a very nurturing soul.”
According to Monir Khilla, 25, Political Science/English Journalism double major and TKE Vice President from Jersey City, “Kashic had a blood clot in his lungs that caused them to collapse.”
On his way to his noon class in the George Karnoutsos Arts and Sciences Hall, Phillip was struck ill which caused him to fall. According to the Dean of College of Arts and Sciences, Barbara Feldman, Phillip was helped by faculty members who guided him toward a seat and immediately called for emergency assistance.
“He was on the sixth floor in the hall of Karnoutsos and he was struggling, clearly not feeling well and sort of had come down on one knee,” Feldman said. “And two faculty who didn’t know who he was, but they saw a person who was struggling and came up to him and said ‘Are you okay?’ and ‘Do you need some help?’ and he said ‘Yes.’… We were there and [were] praying and hoping to see a change in the condition. But something I really want people to know, when he passed he wasn’t by himself. There were people around him that cared, just hoping he would be okay.”
Though it was tragic, Phillip’s passing brought forth a bittersweet moment of compassion and altruism between strangers in community that is quick to extend a helping hand. It is how Phillip’s aunt, Vienna Williams, will always remember her loving nephew, who she says was often quiet but spoke loudly through his actions.
“Sheek brought his family back and forth to work. There was not much communication but there was silent love, and it was felt from everybody.” Williams said.
Instead of mourning the loss of his fellow frater, Jorge Castellanos, 30, a NJCU alumni and TKE member from North Bergen, who was also Phillip’s “big” (fraternal mentor), says he will reminisce on all the good times between them because that’s what his “little” would want him to do.
“When we used to hang out with him, he was always having a good time.” Castellanos said. “He was a good guy who was talkative, outgoing and it’s great to have someone like that. I know he wouldn’t want us to be upset, he’d want us to remember him.”
Castellanos’ optimism is admirable, however, William Cordero, TKE President, admits that the loss has left the entire chapter heavy hearted.
“It’s a very sad loss for us. He always kept our principles of our fraternity: Love, Charity, and Esteem,” Cordero said.
Just days after the unfortunate event, TKE organized a vigil for their late brother at the fraternity stones located at the center of the University campus where dozens gathered in remembrance of Sheek. TKE has further extended their support for Phillip by assembling a fundraiser in his honor with the goal of reaching $1,500 that will be donated to his family. With over $1,200 already raised for the cause, their mission may be complete just in time for the holiday season.
To help donate to the Phillip family, go to: http://www.gofundme.com/4xyoo4.
All denominations are greatly appreciated, wired securely, and may be submitted anonymously.