PHILIP ANTHONY MUSCAT DEBRINCAT

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PHILIP ANTHONY MUSCAT DEBRINCAT

July 21, 1924 - May 20, 2023

Philip DeBrincat was born in 1924 to Pauline Lungaro DeBrincat and Matthew Muscat DeBrincat of Malta. The family immigrated to Winnipeg in 1930, becoming Canadian citizens and part of the community life of Winnipeg. Philip was the eldest of five siblings (Josephine DeBrincat West, Maurice DeBrincat, Dennis Harry DeBrincat, and Frances DeBrincat McDonald). Only Frances survives him. He is also survived by his wife Patricia Wilkinson DeBrincat; his children, Matthew Paul DeBrincat and Alicia Marie DeBrincat (Nik); a granddaughter, Elizabeth DeBrincat Hajny, and many nieces and nephews (Shawne West, Alexis West Cameron, Jennifer DeBrincat, Paulette DeBrincat, Mark DeBrincat, Maureen DeBrincat, Andrew McDonald, Philip McDonald, and Paul McDonald). Philip passed away at his home in Portola Valley, California, surrounded by family. The cause of death was congestive heart failure.

Philip lived in Winnipeg from 1930 to 1948, primarily in the St. Vital area. He attended public schools and made many friends. He took a pre-med curriculum at the University of Manitoba and in 1943 was accepted into the University of Manitoba Medical School, graduating in 1948. Following a year's surgical residence at the Department of Veteran's Affairs Hospital, in 1950 he married his first wife, Marion Dana of Winnipeg (deceased 1957) and together they lived in Ireland while Philip did post-graduate study at the Rotunda Lying In Hospital in Dublin. Returning to Canada later that year, they settled in Mossbank, Saskatchewan, where Philip set up a general practice. Two children were born here: Josephine Ann (deceased 1971) and Matthew Paul.

The family relocated to Vancouver in 1956, where Philip completed a residency in Internal Medicine at St. Paul's Hospital. This was followed by a residency in Pathology at Beth Israel Hospital in Boston, and a year's fellowship at the Lahey Clinic in Boston.

Philip then emigrated to the San Francisco Bay Area of the United States where he practiced at Agnew's State Hospital and in 1966 set up a successful private practice in Internal Medicine in San Jose, California. He later remarried and from this union his daughter Alicia was born in 1979. In 1984, he met his partner and wife, Patricia Ann Wilkinson DeBrincat, with whom he spent 39 love-filled years.

Philip was in his element as a doctor. He was dedicated to his patients - he cared for them, wanted the best outcomes for them, and worked tirelessly to make sure they received excellent care. But Philip's most steadfast commitment was to his family. Throughout many years, and many challenges, he persevered to make sure his family was loved and taken care of - that whatever he could do to make sure their lives were the best possible, he did.

Philip was a life-long learner and remained razor-sharp until the very end. Curious about many things, he traveled and studied continuously as he followed his varied interests. He enjoyed a close circle of friends and was enormously well-respected by all who knew and interacted with him. He will be missed by all.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 29, 2023