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PHILIP CHERRY BLEEKS
Date of Passing: Nov 09, 2013
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryPHILIP CHERRY BLEEKS Philip passed away peacefully on November 9, 2013. Philip was born in Winnipeg in 1938 to Dr. Cherry and Elizabeth Bleeks. After graduating from St. John's Ravenscourt, Philip obtained his Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Education and Masters of Education and taught at United College. His biggest joy was teaching and he strove to make literature, and especially poetry and drama, accessible to everyone. His talent and creativity blossomed in the classroom where he encouraged a lifelong passion for reading and creative expression. Even after he retired, Philip helped others who struggled with literacy issues. In addition to teaching, Philip and an artist friend published two books of poetry. An avid photographer, he had two successful exhibitions and filled our family albums with beautiful memories. Philip married Ruth Carruthers in 1984 and they were seldom apart. They loved to travel, read, debate and socialize. Philip had eclectic interests including "well done" movies, beautiful music, politics, world issues, good food, the curiosities of pop culture and football. He read restaurant reviews and would have at the ready a list of places we should try. Evidently he kept the mobile librarian busy and was the only person who regularly checked out the works of Russian poets. Despite a lot of reasons to the contrary, Philip remained an optimist truly believing we have the ability and the obligation to make things better in this very interesting world. Dad/Granddad/Philip will be dearly missed by his daughter Laurie Bleeks and son-in-law Todd Kjartanson; grandchildren Dustin and Meghan Kjartanson; sisters and brothers-in-law Nancy and Lyle Johnson and Denny Beeman and Jim Peacock; and his cousins Carol Harling-Bleeks (Terry) and Jacquie Dufresne (Martin). Thanks to Dr. Ebbeling and the St. Boniface Hospital for your care. Thanks to Gisele for your visits. Thanks to the W.R.H.A. Home Care staff who enabled Philip to live at home with dignity especially after Ruth's passing. Thanks to everyone at Poseidon Care Centre who made Philip feel at home. Lastly, thanks to the Victoria Hospital health care team; to Dr. Villeneuve for your gentle guidance as we made that most difficult of decisions; to Nancy for your compassion and for making sure Philip's passing was peaceful; and to Joanne van Dyck for helping us understand what happened. As per Philip's wishes, a private celebration of his life will be held. In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on. Robert Frost
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 16, 2013
Condolences & Memories (8 entries)
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Dear Laurie and family, My sympathies to you as you mourn Phil and celebrate his spirit. Phil became a great teacher to me from my first day in (I think) his first class in 1962. Even as a very young man he was an original, an enthusiastic and compassionate teacher not only of literature but of big-l life. He listened to adolescent angst with endless patience and good humour. He encouraged adventurous reading at a time when The Catcher in the Rye had the power to shock and Lady Chatterly's Lover was still banned in Canada. (Phil recommended ordering it from San Francisco, which worked.) He showed wonderful confidence in his students by lending us literary criticism by Shaw, as well as Ibsen plays and 17th century poems which we could barely understand. He encouraged our attempts at poetry with honest yet sensitive responses, and never with false praise. He befriended and supported an elderly and emotionally-frail artist (Bruno) who had been traumatized by his wartime experiences. He was passionately involved in a summer camp for developmentally-delayed adults. He set me on a lifelong path of loving both literature and the less-travelled roads of life. I honour his memory by remembering with a smile his zest for life, continuing to quote some of his best lines, and carrying forth his trust in and respect for younger people to use their talents for good in this world. Peace to you all. - Posted by: Barbara Markovits (student 50 years ago) on: Dec 06, 2013
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thanks phil for being a good friend and neighbour through the tough times. i will always be grateful! - Posted by: robert horsfall (neighbour) on: Nov 18, 2013
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I just learned of this today Nov 17th. Phil was my neighbor and best friend when we were 12 to 18 years old. Time and distance drove us apart but I did get together with him for dinner in 2010. I am going to miss him. Greetings and condolences to his family Ian McIntosh - Posted by: Ian McIntosh (childhood friend) on: Nov 17, 2013
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My condolences to Philip's family. - Posted by: Jeannette (Friend ) on: Nov 17, 2013
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Phil was one of my favourite English Profs at United and I hung on his every word! He had a gutsy feel for describing the feelings in a poem. I do believe that I went on to teach English because of his influence. - Posted by: Margaret Anne Leslie Carr (former student at United College Collegiate) on: Nov 16, 2013
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I was a student of Professor Bleeks, at the University of Winnipeg, Collegiate and I just loved him. He was so full of passion and so clever. As a scared isolated student, he made me think outside the box and I am so grateful for that. He will be missed but never forgotten..... - Posted by: Sidney Macaw (student) on: Nov 16, 2013
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Rest in peace Phil, you were born to be a teacher and I loved your classes. You always gave my dad, Ben, a run for his money with your discussions on our front step. Enjoy your next journey!! - Posted by: judith horsfall jackson (student) on: Nov 16, 2013
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met Philip at wedding. Very nice and well educated man - Posted by: thinking of you Laurie,Todd,Dustin,and Maeghan on your loss. You are in our thoughts. Love you all. (father in law and mother in law. ) on: Nov 16, 2013