Olympian Phil Reavis, 89, was mourned Thursday by city councilors in Somerville, where Reavis lived and is honored as the namesake of a high school athletic field.
Reavis was “a remarkable man whose life was defined by excellence, purpose and an unwavering commitment to others,” said council vice president Will Mbah as he led a moment of silence at the start of a council meeting.
As a high jumper, Reavis broke state records starting in the 1950s at Somerville High School, where he also excelled in academics and was president of the school’s National Honor Society. At Villanova University in Pennsylvania he set a world record in 1956 and made the cover of Sports Illustrated as the “High-Flying Phil Reavis.” He competed in the year’s summer Olympics in Melbourne, Australia, and went on to coach other Olympians.
Reavis was also writer and a musician, and in the later years of his life split his time between Massachusetts and Macau. The 2021 proposal to honor Reavis in Somerville identified him as having a business interest in the only jazz nightclub in Macau and as a widely celebrated saxophonist in in a jazz group named “The Bridge” – all aspects captured in an “Above and Beyond” exhibition dedicated to Reavis in 2023 at the Somerville Museum.
“His accomplishments alone set him apart, but what made him truly extraordinary was not just what he achieved, but how deeply he gave of himself. He was a mentor, a guide and a steady presence in the lives of so many. He inspired not only through words, but through action, through discipline, compassion and a passion that resonated across generations,” Mbah said.
The honoring of Reavis at Somerville High School was a project of resident Matthew Hoey and Reavis’ son, Phil Jr. In the era of Black Lives Matter protests, Reavis became the first person of color to be honored by having something in Somerville named after him.
The soccer field is “more than just a place for sport. It is a living tribute to his dedication, his love for the game and the countless young people he inspired to strive for greatness, both on and off the field,” Mbah said.
Councilor Ben Ewen-Campen called Reavis “a major part of Somerville history, and just a class act. He was such a wonderful, wonderful, sweet person, in addition to this remarkable life that he lived.” He said Friday that a friend and neighbor of Reavis’ had confirmed the death.
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