Dr. Philip Wallace Hewitt Amys

Always cheerful, Dr. Amys remained so right to the end of his life on July 29, 2024 at age 82. Philip navigated an amazing and rather relentless series of serious medical adventures in recent years, with tremendous grace and good humor. Recently confronted with a cancer he could not beat, Phil chose MAID in the company of friends, family and the joyful collection of folk art and antiques in his home in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Predeceased by his beautiful wife of 52 years Mrs. Necia Joyce Amys (née Lapthorne 1943-2020), the two were devoted and shared a special bond of love, laughter, good food, good times and many dear friends. Born February 13, 1942 in Peterborough, Ontario to Marion Winnifred (née Harvey) and Philip Hewitt Amys, Phil was raised in Montreal, attended Sedbergh School (Montebello, Quebec) and Dalhousie University (Halifax).

He graduated from Dalhousie University with a B.Sc. (1964) and Doctor of Dental Surgery (1968). The couple lived in Vancouver, B.C. for a few years, returning to purchase Robie Street Dental and spend summers on Necia’s native Prince Edward Island. Ardent supporters of the longstanding Indian River Music Festival, they frequently hosted the organizers and many musicians at their peaceful Whim Sea Farm on Shipwreck Road. In the 1970’s Dr. Amys began teaching at the Dalhousie University Dental School, eventually becoming an Assistant Professor, and mentored many students over the years.

Known as PDub to family, and Dr. Phil by some, his social circles were many and wide, both in PEI and Halifax. He lived life well with lots of interests and hobbies. A canoeist, skier, curler, birder, wood carver, he grew orchids and gardened, played golf, fixed antique clocks, collected folk art and so much more. A Philanthropist and supporter of many and varied people and causes, in recent years Phil especially enjoyed the fundraising and social initiatives of The Club. He was a long-time member of the Halifax Northwest Rotary Club; the Halifax Curling Club; a member and past president of the Halifax Executives Association and the N.S. Orchid Society; and a founding member of the N.S. Wildlife Carvers & Artists Society. Philip and Necia were members of various wine societies including the German Wine Society, Italian Wine Society, American Wine Society, Opimian Society, and the Australian Wine Society, and enjoyed immensely their membership in La Chaine des Rotisseurs.

Special thanks go to the many dear friends, classmates and neighbors who brightened his life, including his Brown Hound and Fatten-Phil-on-Fridays friendships, and the steady in-home support by Ashley Smith (Home Instead since 2019) and by boarder Kenisha Reid (master’s student, Jamaica).

Philip is survived by: his youngest sister Heather H. (White) Amys (Marc Kempf) in Ottawa, nephews Arthur A. White (Lauren Airth) in Kelowna, B.C. and Jesse J.A. White (Katherine Provost) in Beirut, Lebanon; his sister-in-law Susan (Lapthorne) McDonald (Stephen) in Charlottetown; a handful of scattered cousins and the family of his late sister Flora Anne H. Amys: nieces Kristin S.J. Pinos and Dawn M. Pinos Thompson & her children Holly (Nick Mittinen), Kate and Spencer Thompson all in Ottawa.

May Phil’s gratitude, good humor and generosity live on in us all. A modest fellow, he wanted no funeral or fuss. A gathering will be held anyway for friends and family later this week.

Please consider making a donation in his memory to the Red Cross or the charity of your choice. Phil adds, “Thanks one and all – and keep smiling!”.