It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Philip John Newman on October 14th 2023 at Ridge Meadows Hospital. He passed surrounded by his loving wife and family.
Phil was born in Llanelli, South Wales, UK on September 30th 1955, to parents Roger and Evelyn Newman.
Phil is survived by his wife Victoria Shan. His loving children Jaime (Lee), Debbie (Jeremy) and Jonathan. His grandchildren who affectionately called him Baga, Benjamin, Nathan, Calum, Jacob, Bronwyn, Bailey, Amelia and Henry. He also leaves behind brother Bernard (Beverly), sister Christine (Dai), Sister-in-law Emma (Simon) and many family and friends.
Phil lived in South Wales where he worked as an electrician. He made the major decision to emigrate with his family to beautiful Vancouver, Canada in 1995. However, he never forgot his home country of Wales and the wonderful memories he made with family and friends there. On many occasions he would fondly remember his childhood memories in Pembrokeshire and have us all laughing as he recalls a funny tale or two. Phil had a wonderful sense of humour, he loved making people laugh with his captivating stories, anecdotes and banter. Even as his health deteriorated, he still relished in making the doctors and nurses laugh at all his appointments. His next plan was to ask his G.P Dr. Okere who he always shared a joke with, for his permission to enter the next iron man contest. His personality filled the room. Phil had a talent for building and fixing anything and would always lend a helping hand to anyone who asked. He will be missed beyond words and will forever hold a place in our hearts.
“There are no goodbyes for us. Wherever you are, you will always be in my heart.” - Gandhi
Please join his family to honor his life on Friday October 27th at 11:00 a.m. at Maple Ridge Funeral Chapel. 11969 216th Street, Maple Ridge. For those that cannot attend there will be livestreaming at https://www.youtube.com/live/rd795odGva8?si=7c0O0xClck3xO7NK
Light refreshments will be served at their home afterwards.
November 9th, 2023
Dad,
I am so proud to call you Dad.
I wish I had told you that.
You were always there for us and would do anything for us. I am the person I am am today because of you. You were the beating heart of our family. I will be forever grateful for the love and laughter you gave us over the years.
I miss you more than my heart can take.
I love you x
November 7th, 2023
I met Phil in 1975 as a young 16 year old apprentice working for Thyssen on Bryngwyn School, Llanelli. From the start we shared a wicked sense of humour and at times would be crying laughing at the most obscure things. Fawlty Towers was a regular topic of conversation. We were to work together off and on for the next 20 years until he emigrated to Canada; I always remember working in Newtown, mid-Wales with Phil in 1995 - we were staying in The Black Boy Hotel. Josie, the landlady, said to us one evening, "I'm 66 today. I don't look it, do I?" Quick as a flash, Phil said, "No, but I bet you did once."
Only Phil could get away with that!
Great seeing him and Shan again in 2015 and 2019 - both times we just carried on our conversation from where we left off. It was that sort of friendship.
Phil, you were a larger than life character with an amazing sense of humour. Rest in peace, my dear friend.
October 28th, 2023
Phil
I have so much to be thankful to you for, you welcomed me into your family when I was still a teenager, you housed me, got me a job and bought me countless lunches at work.
Working along side you for 15 years was an absolute blast, the laughs we had every single day will live with me forever.
The cars we have fixed together, the curry cooking together, the football games we watched together, I can’t describe what these memories mean to me.
Whenever I feel sad I think about something funny you said and it makes it better, even in our grief you are still making us laugh so much.
Cheers Phil
October 27th, 2023
Saddened to hear the passing of Uncle Phil. I have fond memories of visiting the family in Penlan during my childhood and having lots of fun. Uncle Phil was always so quick with a joke! Both Uncle Phil and Sian invited us over to Canada and I desperately tried to teach him a dance to my favourite band Five. He soon began to detest the band in the end, hearing the endless songs and practicing the dance routines with me!
I’ll always remember grandad dressing up in Tommy Hilfiger jeans and a baseball cap and coming out of a changing room in a department store in downtown Vancouver, uncle phil soon cracked a joke! It was a wonderful time that I will never forget.
Thank you for the memories, rest in peace. Thinking of all the family and sending our love.
Laura, Phill, Rhys and Ioan xx
October 27th, 2023
I met Shan when she worked together with me in the DVLA. We became firm and very close friends. Together with my then husband Tommy were became great friends with Shan and Phil. Phil had the gifted ability to make everyone laugh with his story telling. There will never be anyone who could make you laugh quite like Phil. We had the pleasure to spend time in Italy on their honeymoon. It was a blow for me when they left for Canada but it was something they had dreamed about for years and they made themselves a wonderful life out there. My heart goes out to Shan and the family and wish I could have been there with you saying farewell to Phil. So long Phil gone but never forgotten xxxxxx
October 27th, 2023
I have very fond memories of Phil from our time staying with him and his family in Canada in 2010. A lovely, friendly man. Thinking of all the family at this difficult time.
October 27th, 2023
Dear Phil, this world has lost a unique human being. I've known you since I was about 16/17 years old. We all instantly became great friends and even though you were in Canada, we still kept in touch with you all. I remember what a character you were. We all had a lot of fun back in the day. I'm sure you left a lasting impression on everyone who was fortunate to know you. Our hearts go out to Shan and all the family at this sad time. Rest in Peace Phil. Love from Cheryl Lloyd and family in Llanelli, South Wales xx
October 26th, 2023
We are heartbroken at the loss of our dear uncle Phil. Uncle Phil was so caring, funny and had the biggest of hearts. I can’t have been much older than eight when I realised how fun my uncle Phil was. We were all at one of the New Year’s Eve parties, Queen was blasting out of the sound system and there was my uncle Phil, doing the perfect air guitar to “It’s a Kind of Magic!” I thought, “uncle Phil is so cool!” Phil, I always enjoyed spending time with you, as a child and as an adult. You would fill the room with laughter, stories and jokes. You were so warm and kind, Katie and I are very proud to call you our uncle. We have so many happy memories, memories that always make us smile and ones we will always cherish, thank you. We are sending so much love to our dear Aunty Shan and all our family. You will always be in my heart Uncle Phil. Thank you for the happy memories, for the laughter, the smiles and the love. Thank you for being a lovely, kind uncle.
Forever in our hearts. Love you, Sarah and family. Xx
October 26th, 2023
My Dear Uncle Phil,
What a wonderful Uncle you are. One of the most caring, funniest and generous people I’ve known. Even though you lived in Canada and us in Wales, we always felt that you and the family were near by. We as a family feel so lucky to have had you in our lives and will always remember the special memories shared with you. I have been listening to Queen today, which reminds me of you and the fun New Years Eve Party’s that you had. You were so kind to Will and I when we came out to visit you. We had the best time. I’m thinking of Aunty Shan, my cousins and their children and sending all my love and prayers to them. Love you always Uncle Phil xxx
October 26th, 2023
Phil was a wonderful brother ,brother in law and a caring uncle to our girls.Phil would help anyone he had such a big heart.Phil you will be forever in our hearts there you will stay loved and remembered every day.Shan you and the family are in our thoughts and prayers .Xxxxx
October 24th, 2023
I Will never forget Phil and Family due to when they first arrived in Canada and Victoria Shan applied for a job at Purdy’s i loved hearing about them and there move to Canada. As i Got to know the family Phil had such a great sense of humour and set such a great example for his family and his work ethic was amazing. Willing to help everyone he came into contact with. Victoria at this difficult time know you have many friends who are here for you and the family 😘🌹❤️ Deepest Condolences
Hugs Gitte ❤️🌹
October 22nd, 2023
Shocked to hear the passing of Phil, what a lovely person he was gone to soon thinking of you all at this sad time Graham and Tracey.
October 21st, 2023
Phil was a fantastic man, he was an amazing father in law to my brother lee an I will forever appreciate his love to my brother and his support to him when he moved to Canada. On both occasions I visited Vancouver I was made to feel part of the family and treasure those memories. My heartfelt love goes to my Canada family and I am so sorry for this loss x you’re all in our thoughts and prayers xx
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