Phil passed away peacefully on the afternoon of June 27th following a brief illness in the NIH Campbell River after family was able to gather by his side.  He is survived by his wife Jean, sons Phil Jr (Tammy), Paul, and Jon, grandchildren Brittany (Mitch) Stainton, Rachel Lum, Ryon Forbes, and Morgan Lum, great-grandchildren Mitchell, Aurelia, and Evangeline, and sisters Genevieve Eng and Helen (Kiyo) Hamade.

Born and raised in Victoria, BC, he took a job as a young man that allowed him to travel overseas where he ended up in Glasgow, Scotland and met and married Jean, his wife of 59 years.  In 1966, he moved back to Canada with Jean and 2 boys in tow and settled in Gold River to work in the pulp mill, with a third son arriving shortly thereafter.  As a devoted husband and father, he worked hard to provide his family with the opportunities that would result in a better way of life than he had growing up.  He was a noteworthy presence in public service and volunteering over the years.  His involvements in the Lions Club, Canada Day Committees, Citizens on Patrol, Search and Rescue, and other organizations were instrumental in creating a thriving community.  He is a lifetime member of the Gold River Minor Hockey Association having worked in various capacities and was a major fixture at the arena for several years watching his sons and then granddaughter play.  He also once ran for council, and until recently continued to meet daily for coffee with some of his “constituents.”

Phil worked in the local pulp mill until its shutdown and his imminent retirement in 1999.  He continued to spend his retirement years in Gold River and solidified his place as a significant figure in the village, maintaining many of his volunteering efforts within local clubs and the Gold River Fire Dept, as well as being a surrogate parent to one of his grandchildren.  He was a kind man with a smile for everyone, always up for a chat, and made an impression with anyone he met.  Phil will be missed dearly by family and countless others who have come to know him as a friend and associate.

A funeral mass will be held at 12:00pm on July 17, 2021 at the Church of Sts Peter and Paul in Gold River with a reception to follow.