Francis PHILLIPS

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PHILLIPS: Francis “Shorty” Phillips, June 8, 1926 - August 6, 2015. It is with sad hearts and fond memories that we announce the passing of Francis Phillips on Thursday, August 6, 2015, at the Brandon Regional Health Centre. Shorty was born in Portage la Prairie, MB, in 1926 to Sarah and Frank Phillips.  After his father died young, Sarah moved her two sons, Roy and Francis, to the Cardale district.  Shorty went to school at Marney and completed high school at Cardale.  After high school he worked for John A. McTavish before he began farming on his own in 1951 at the age of 25.  He married his sweetheart, Elizabeth Smith, that year and they began a family the following year.  Shorty and Liz farmed until 1981 when they sold the farm and retired to Rivers. Shorty is survived by Elizabeth, daughters Bev (Richard) Dyer and Marie (Glen) Tait and sons Don (Stephanie), Doug (Shelly) and Fred (Barb), along with fifteen grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren. Throughout his life, Shorty was fully engaged in his community, wherever it was.  He was coach or manager in Cardale baseball, hockey, curling, and Scouts; he served on the Manitoba Pool Elevator Board and the Cardale Rink Board and later volunteered with Rivers Legion Bingo. He loved fishing and bird hunting, especially ducks, and one of his greatest memories was an all-day, limit-out mid-October duck hunt with his three sons.  Of course, he loved and cherished his daughters too because, above all, Dad was dedicated to his family. He led and taught by example in all things at all times. As a husband, he showed respect, appreciation, and love for his life partner and best friend, Liz. As a father, he taught us to take pleasure in a job well done and in enjoying the company of others. He took pride in the achievements of his grandchildren and continued to be fully interested in the lives of his family as it grew to include great-grandchildren.  Shorty’s death is sad for so many and he is sorely missed; however, he had a long and a good life, with a relatively gentle passing at the end.  Like so much else in his life, he did that right, too. Cremation has taken place. A private interment will be in the Marney Cemetery. A Celebration of Life will be held at the Rivers Legion Hall, 633 2nd Ave, Rivers, MB on Thursday, August 20, 2015, at 2:30 p.m. with Rev. Glenna Beauchamp officiating. Donations in memory of Francis Phillips may be made to the Brandon Regional Health Centre Foundation, 150 McTavish Avenue East, Brandon, MB R7A 2B3 or to a charity of one’s choice. Messages of condolence and/or photos can be shared at campbellfuneralhome.ca. Campbell Funeral Home, Hamiota are entrusted with the arrangements. (866) 620-2744.

As published in Brandon Sun on Aug 15, 2015