JOHN (JACK) THOMAS PHILLIPS

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

JOHN (JACK) THOMAS PHILLIPS John (Jack) Thomas Phillips (John t. to many), passed away on September 10, 2003 at Arborg and District Health Centre. He is survived by his wifeShirley(Campbell), sons, Bill (Faye) of Arborg, MB and Tim (Izabel) of Toronto, ON; daughter Jacquie Bartlett (Rod) of Seoul, Korea; grandson John of Toronto, ON; brother Bill of Florida; and sister Joyce of Ontario. Jack was born on September 28, 1924 in Winnipeg, son of the late William and Edith Phillips. He grew up in Monominto, MB, on a small farm where he developed a love of nature that he passed on to his family and that remained a joy to him throughout his life. The Second World War saw Jack enlist into the Royal Canadian Air Force where he became a Flight Sergeant as a tail gunner on the famed Burma Run. After the war, when he returned to Monominto, his passion for baseball was rekindled. Jack became something of a local legend for his pitching arm which some say could have taken him a long way. It was during this time he met and eventually married the school "marm", his beloved Shirley Elizabeth. Together they farmed for a short time in Niverville, MB before he responded to an ad for Memorial Gardens which became a 30 plus year career taking him to Winnipeg, London, and eventually Toronto. Jack and family lived for 37 years in Toronto and for the majority of those years, "51 Gladys Road" was home. While in Toronto, Jack joined forces with his brother Bill and for close to 15 years, through the company of Sumcot, successfully built and sold summer cottage property in Ontario and eventually condominiums in South Padre Island, Texas. In the summer of 2002, Jack and Shirley retired to Arborg where he remained active with the Canadian Legion, The Shriners and The Masons. For those who knew Jack Phillips, he will be remembered as a devout family man. He put family ahead of all else and was always the happiest when they were around him. He will be greatly missed and always remembered. "Looking back with memories, Upon the path we trod, We bless the years we had with you and leave you now with God." A memorial service will be held at the MacKenzie Funeral Chapel, Teulon, MB, Tuesday, September 16 at 2:00 p.m. Interment will follow at Dundas Cemetery, Teulon. Donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society or the Canadian National Institute for the Blind. MacKenzie Funeral Home, Teulon in care of arrangements.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 15, 2003