John Ellis Philcox

Newport, RI - John Ellis Philcox, 63, of 87 Malbone Rd., Newport, RI, died Sunday, October 31, 2010 at the Brigham and Womens Hospital, Boston, after a fight with multiple myeloma.He was the husband of Laura Harrington Philcox. John was born in White Plains, NY on Oct. 24, 1947, he was the son of the late Norman and Zelda Philcox. While growing up in Paris, France, as the son of a diplomat, he learned to appreciate the many aspects of French cuisine and culture. Upon returning to the US to pursue a degree in rocket science at the University of Colorado, he found great pleasure in trying to reproduce taste memories by cooking for friends. In 1974 he opened Le Bistro Restaurant in Newport, RI. After leaving Le Bistro, he has been Chef at Caf Zelda in Newport since 2003. John enjoyed family time, coaching little league baseball when his sons were young, writing about food and wines, cooking for family and friends at home, and walking on the beach. Besides his wife he leaves three sons, Jared Philcox of Raleigh, NC, Douglas Philcox of Middletown, and Daniel Philcox of Brighton, MA. He also leaves his sister Janet Duchesneau of Temple, NH and a stepson, Patrick Holleman of Pottstown, PA. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, November 4, 2010 at 11:00 at the Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport, RI. A reception will follow. Memorial donations may be made in his name to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute 44 Binney Street Boston, MA 02115 attn: contribution services.