Tribute

Our Beloved Phillip (Phil) passed away from natural causes on Sept. 8, 2022, at his home in Crofton. Phil was born on April 30, 1960, in Alert Bay BC.  He was the fourth son of David and Joan Stacey and a few years later his baby sister arrived completing the large family. To Phil, family was everything. Phil’s early years were spent in Alert Bay, Campbell River, Trinidad, and SaltSpring Island where he graduated from high school in 1978. He soon left the quiet paced life of SaltSpring and headed to Alberta where he quickly became a manager at a grocery chain in Edson. In 1981 Phil was involved in a very serious car accident. He battled back from a year of hospital and rehab centers and eventually returned to Edson to restart his career.  Phil moved back to BC in 1984 and worked on Quadra Island before enrolling at North West Baptist College (NWBC) in Vancouver. He began his time there as a student but after graduation he stayed on and became a valued employee. During his time at NWBC he met Delima (Balzer) and they married in 1988. Phil completed a RCA program and shortly after he and Delima moved to Duncan where his sons Luke and Ben were born. Despite his serious brain injury Phil was very hardworking. He worked at Cowichan Lodge as a care aid until it closed. He was extremely caring and was loved by the people he looked after there. Phil also worked as an educational assistant at various schools around the Cowichan Valley until he retired in 2020

Phil was predeceased by his parents Joan and David, his son Ben and his second wife Norma (Quaw). He leaves many behind to mourn his passing. Wife Chona, son Luke (Chantal), grandson Juda, siblings Peter (Brenda), Tim (Margot), Miles (Susan) and Peggy (Larry). Phil is also survived by many aunts and uncles, and cousins as well as a small army of nephews and nieces. Uncle Phil was a legend!

Phil’s interests were many and varied beginning with salmon fishing as a young boy. As he grew, his tastes shifted to cars, Phil always had a head turning car including Dusters, Thunderbirds, and Skylarks. Following his retirement, he sold his “work” car and bought a jet black 2010 Camaro and a snow white 2017 Mustang. He affectionally called them Ebony and Ivory and had plates made to proudly display their nicknames. He so loved those cars. Phil was a Christian and his faith was very strong. He was a very active member of the Warmland Church in Crofton. He helped, he hugged, he sang, and he seldom missed the church’s weekly volunteer food bank day. The church was always a huge part of his life. He will be missed.

A Graveside Ceremony will be held at Mountainview Cemetery on Friday Sept 16 at 2 pm, with a celebration of life following at the Warmland Church at 1586 Joan Avenue in Crofton. Donations can be made in Phil’s name to the Brain Injury Canada or a local brain injury group.