It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of husband, father and grandfather, Homer Patrick (Pat) Philley, after a lengthy illness.
He was pre-deceased by his parents Homer and Nora Philley, sisters Evelyn Deptford, Kathleen, Agnes, Achilline and Julianne, brothers Clem, Brian and Joey, grandson Matthew, and daughter-in-law Lisa Dawn Philley (neé Ho).
Left to mourn are his beloved wife of 67 years, Patricia (Patsy) Anne Philley (neé Shannon), his children Kevin, Shannon (David), Nora (John), Tim (Colleen), and Cory, and grandchildren Andrew, Conor, Melissa, Kyle, Sarah, Erin, Teagan, Jonathan and Tianna as well as many nieces and nephews.
Dad was born at 38th and Arbutus and raised in East-Vancouver, attending St. Joseph’s Elementary and St. Patrick’s High School. It was in St. Joseph’s kindergarten class at the age of 5 where he would meet Patsy our mom, the love of his life, although they only began dating after high school at 18, marrying on November 29, 1952.
A gifted athlete and a fierce competitor, he and his brother Brian were star soccer players through the ‘40’s and ‘50’s in Vancouver. In 1957, Dad was named with Brian to the Canadian National team and Dad became the captain of the first Canadian team to go to the World Cup. He was inducted into the Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame in 2004. In 2015, a long-time resident of Coquitlam, he would be inducted into the Coquitlam Sports Hall of Fame.
Dad joined Canadian Forest Products as a Chartered Accountant and in 35 years with the company rose through the ranks to be the General Manager and national Vice-President for Canfor Ltd., the Building Materials Division of the company, based out of New Westminster. He took early retirement in 1987 and he and mom had great years, travelling, volunteering for St. Michael’s and other organizations, returning to his accounting roots by taking on some small business clients and especially being part of the Dogwood Seniors’ Pavilion in Coquitlam. Dad took up tennis competitively upon retirement with all his usual passion and verve, going on with Mom to win multiple medals at consecutive BC Senior’s Games and the tennis group at Dogwood would become part of their extended family in the ensuing 25 years. He was also a driving force as a board member at Dogwood, helping to spearhead and foster much needed capital projects for the organization.
Dad was a man of wit, intelligence, compassion, generosity and faith. In these last months, he always had a kind word for his family and caregivers, even as he struggled with his final illness. His deep integrity is a loss to everyone but will live on in the lives of his children, grand-children and anyone who was fortunate to know this good man.
Special thanks go to Nora and John Chambers, Debbie and Access Home Health, and the staff at the McKenney Creek Hospice who provided such great care for Dad in these last months.
Prayers to be held at St. Michael the Archangel, 9387 Holmes Street in Burnaby, Thursday November 28th, 2019 at 6 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow on Friday, November 29th at 11:00 am, also at St. Michael the Archangel. Reception to follow the mass. The family asks in lieu of flowers to please donate to your favourite charity in Dad’s name.