Philip Weetman

Philip Henry Weetman was born July 15, 1925 in Vancouver, B.C. His father, John Henry Weetman, had emigrated from England. His mother, b. Annie Sofie McRae, was born and raised in Nanaimo, B.C., the daughter of a Scottish coal miner. An older brother, Bernard, died when only a few months old.

Philip attended St. Augustine Elementary School, then Vancouver College, and later attended UBC. Philip entered the Canadian Army as an under-aged recruit in WWII, which caused his mother considerable distress as the only child.

Philip met his wife, Mary B. Mary Ellen Brennan, at a dance at St. Paul's Hospital, in 1953, where, Mary was working as a student nurse. Another student, a girl, had asked Philip to attend. He came with a few friends, and after a few dances asked Mary out for a movie the next night. They were married in 1955, after Mary had graduated nursing. They were married 60 years in 2015, with hardly an argument between them all these years.

Philip loved to ski when younger with a group of friends from UBC, sharing a cabin with friends on Grouse Mountain. He also loved to dance and could be seen twirling with Mary on weddings and other occassions. He enjoyed boating and curling, which he followed all his life. He was often entered in the Senior Olympics and could be seen doing heavy work around the home well into his eighties.

Philip worked for Crane Plumbing and Heating as an estimator, and later the Burnaby School Board, until his retirement. Philip and Mary then travelled extenvsively, in Europe and Asia. Philip and Mary both were generous in their support of their children through all their lives and enjoyed hosting out-of-town relatives and friends in their home in Vancouver throughout the years.

Philip was a Grand Knight and remained active in the Knights of Columbus for many years, nurturing a number of long-term friendships. Philip was generous with his finances, contributing to a large number of charities and foster-children, constantly looking to support the less privileged.

Philip followed his faith right to the end of his life. His greatest concern was missing church, even when it was clearly evident he was not healthy enough to leave his bed. Philip's strong faith and gentle, peaceful nature touched all those who came in contact with him.

One child said of Philip: "Spending time with Dad always gave me great comfort, like everything was going to be alright in the world".