Phil Birch

Philip was born in Edmonton, AB to Helen and Ronald Birch. He was raised and educated in Calgary, AB, and in later years, took residency in the Village of Kitscoty, AB. Upon the sale of his property and home in the Village of Kitscoty, in 2013, he moved back to Calgary, to be closer to his doctors. In mid-2016, Phil was notified that he had developed terminal bone and lung cancer. Phil passed away at the age of 63 years, at the Southwood Hospice in South Calgary. Phil is remembered and sadly missed by his brother Rick of Red Deer; sister Tracy of Calgary; and Phil’s three cats, Ben, Scotty and Tyler, they were his close family. He is also lovingly remembered by his uncles, aunts, niece, nephews, cousins, relatives and friends.

At the age of 6, Phil was diagnosed with Juvenile Diabetes. Through the years he gave of himself and participated in many clinical trials. This involved testing new and improved diabetes treatments; allowing for so many others lives to be improved by better approved insulins. Phil was a long term diabetic for 56 years.

During Phil’s early teen’s, Phil and Rick ventured into the world and lived together for a few years in NW Calgary. As young men, they enjoyed their youth in so many ways to be happily remembered for many years. Phil shared his life and adventures equally with his sisters Tracy and Cathy Lou, mother Helen and father Ronald.

Phil made many friends throughout his life. He had a very compassionate soft heart for stray and abandoned cats, and he would love and care for them. He also maintained a lifelong friendship with Monna Ancell for 50 years. He was very happy to have had such a friend and confidant throughout the years. One thing Phil never forgot was a relative or dear friend’s birthday.

When Phil resided in the Village of Kitscoty, he worked as a construction field administrator at Kerrobert, SK, on the construction of the Alliance Pipeline project. Phil worked closely with and was well liked by his co-workers and project management associates.

Philip is now resting peacefully and contented to be free of his diabetes and cancer, enjoying himself with the spirit in the sky.

We would like to say “Thank you so much” to the doctors and nurses at the South Health Campus Hospital Cancer Wards, the ambulance medical transfer personnel, the home care team members including the hospice personnel for their compassionate care and concern they provided to Philip.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made directly to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation of Calgary, #300, 1725 - 10 Ave S.W. Calgary, AB T3C 0K1 or the Whisker Rescue Society of Alberta, P.O. Box 27138, Red Deer, Alberta T4N 6X8.

A Memorial Service will be held at FOSTER’S GARDEN CHAPEL, 3220 – 4 Street N.W., Calgary, AB (across from Queen’s Park Cemetery) on Saturday, February 18, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. Expressions of sympathy may be forwarded to the family via the website www.fostersgardenchapel.ca.