Tuesday the 12th August

I received a call from Corrie this morning telling me of the sad news that Phil died this morning at 5:00 am. Despite the fact that his life has been cut short he lived it to the full. We had many adventures together including a trip to Alaska stopping over in New York; also organised many short breaks for his friends to Milan, Berlin, Prague, Barcelona and Dublin to name but a few and of course the annual cycle rides. For those who went on these trips, they have treasured happy memories that will live on forever. His support as a lifeguard at the pool and Chairmanship of HADSA will be remembered by many. His enthusiasm for sport, in particular tennis and squash, will be rembered by his opponents as a competitive player of great skill. He was always modest in victory and the first to the bar after a game. For others, his contribution to the yearly panto will never be forgotten. His enthusiastic support for Chelsea football club is shared with his sons and brothers. He tried to go to most home games and was a season ticket for the last year. His courage over the last eighteen months since he was diagnosed with cancer has been remarkable; even in the darkest of hours he has remained positive an optomistic. Phil and I had some deep conversations about the future, He never thought of his pain or discomfort, but always his concerned was that others would be put to some inconvenience because of him .

He confronted his illness with fortitude and courage. He once confided in me in a rare moment of introspection that he would have loved to see his boys have families of their own and be a grandad, but accepted that was not to be. Jack ,Ben and David have been a fantastic support to their dad over the last few years and are a living testament to him, he was so proud of these fine young men.

He sailed in Mc Cloud, Casiqu and Libertad to Holand, Belgium, France and Spain including a double Biscay crossing and a leg on the around Britain. He loved rough weather and carried me through many a crisis. I was sitting on night watch last week in the middle of Biscay thinking of all the happy times we spent together and saying a prayer for him, looking at that star filled sky and phosphorescent wake, I am sure he was by my side. We have all lost a remarkable friend, For Jack, Ben and David they have the memory of a great dad and Mary, a husband and friend who will be greatly missed. Why did you have to go so soon?

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This poem is called: "If" by Rudyard Kipling and seems to fit the bill .Goodbye Phil we will all miss  you.I am proud to say I was your friend. Paul.

If you can keep your head when all about you

Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,

If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,

But make allowance for their doubting too;

If can wait and not be tired by waiting,

Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,

Or being hated, don’t give way to hating,

And yet don't look too good nor talk to wise.

If you can dream-and not make dreams your master,

If you can think-and not make thoughts your aim,

If you can meet Triumph and Disaster

And treat those two imposters just the same;

If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken

Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,

Or watch the things you gave your life to, be broken,

And to watch and build em up with worn out tools;

If you can make one heap of all your winnings

And risk it on one turn of pitch- and- toss,

And loose, and start again at your beginnings

And never breathe a word about your loss;

If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew

To serve your turn long after they are gone,

And to hold on when there is nothing in you

Except the Will which says to them: Hold on!'

If you can walk with crowds and keep your virtue,

Or walk with Kings -nor loose the common touch,

If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you ,

If all men count with you but none too much;

If you can fill the unforgiving minute

With sixty seconds 'worth of distance run,

Yours is the earth and every thing that's in it