Dear Friends,
Phil passed away at 5.15 this morning.
Hilary has asked that I pass on her immense gratitude for all the support she and Phil have received from the Bollockeers.
This is the saddest day on this site since we started in 2006. Phil was a friend to us all, and to me he was the best friend I ever had.
I'll post more soon.
George
At the age of 22 Phil invented the Alcopop
ReplyDeletePhil posing on the bridge of his ship approaching Golden Gate bridge.
Always the party animal
Laurel and Hardy - Chesterfield 2008 - that was another fine mess he got me into
Always the poser - Cyprus 2009
On top form with Keith, Mill On The Soar, 2010
These last three are the most recent ones I have of us having a 'summit' at Hartlepool
WOW! He's smiling!!
Hilary and Phil - A perfect Couple.
Geeezus Phil, you'll kick my arse if the show doesn't go on, but this will be tough..BUT...we'll ALL do it for you mate!
So, so sad George, it's hard to know what to say my friend. I feel for Hilary and all of Phil's family. It was an honour to have met him; what a fantastic human being, the world will be a worse place without him.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear this sad sad news my condolences to Hilary and his family,and if there is a here after I'm sure he will be sat having a beer with Bernie, God bless them xx
ReplyDeleteOh George, I have been dreading this sad news. It will affect so many people.
ReplyDeletePhil fought so well .
My condolences to Hilary & family. Thinking of you at this very sad time.
And I'm so sorry you have lost your best mate. Laurel and Hardy indeed.
It hurts us all when we loose such a great character.
Rest in Peace Phil.
So sorry to hear that George. I thought I would just check before I went to be. It has been a bad couple of weeks. I lost a pal in South Africa yesterday. He was diagnosed the same year as me.
ReplyDeleteWhat a sugar of a disease
So sorry to hear this very sad news George. Phil will be sorely missed by everyone . He will always be in our thoughts. Please send our condolences to Hilary and the girls.
ReplyDeleteGeorge I cannot imagine how you are feeling……… please take care.
Graeme and Sheena xx
I know Hilary, Sherri and Gemma are reading this. I saw Phil's Avitar appear on the bottom of the blog.
ReplyDeleteLOVE AND BIG WARM HUGS FROM US ALL XXXXXX
We are with you now and always.
Such sad news. Please pass on our condolences to Hilary and the girls xxx
ReplyDeleteRest easy Phil.
ReplyDeleteMy condolences to Hilary and the girls.
So sorry to read this sad news. My condolences ot his wife Hilary and the family. Stick with it George it is the final end for us all.
ReplyDeleteWe are sitting here in tears at the news. Such a great bloke.
ReplyDeleteCondolences to Hilary and all the family and also to all the very sad people on here who knew and loved Phil so much.
Keith & Nette
So sad to hear today's news.
ReplyDeletePhil, it was my pleasure to have known you for these last 5~years or so and to call you my friend.
Thanks for the help and advise over the years.
I loved your daily postings, your 'talented'(!) poetry, your (risque) sense of humour.
I will miss you.
Phil, 'Rest in Peace' mate, free at last from this bast--d disease.
God Bless,
Love to Hilary, Sherri and Gemma.
Love always from Mike & Kath xx
Sincere heartfelt condolences go out to Hilary,Sherri & Gemma......Its my regret we never met,but Phil was always quick to give his support to me,when i needed it.....Going to miss his humour & his blogs to.....Its not going to be the same on here for sure,as he contributed so much.......Thanks George for confirming the show goes on,& it will be a fitting tribute to a great guy to do so...
ReplyDeleteR.I.P. my friend..
John & Val..xx
I just cannot get my head into gear after this terrible news. So very upset that we have lost such a wonderful man, and a special friend. My heart is breaking for Hilary, Sherri and Gemma xx We all loved Phil so very much, it really won't be the same here without him. I just cannot believe he has gone. Can't type anymore, as I cannot see the screen for tears. God bless Big Guy xx I will miss you xx Keep them smiling in heaven, and maybe look down on us every once in a while, just to make certain that we are up to no good ! Lots of love as always, you will never be forgotten xxxx
ReplyDeletePhil, my darlin, we will miss you so much. You were such a special guy who lead me astray on many a Thursday morning! I am so sad we never got to meet you, Hilary and your beautiful girls.
ReplyDeleteGod bless you my lovely.
I can't write anymore for the tears.
We will miss you
xx
I'd like to add a very special thank you from Hilary, Sherri. Gemma...indeed all of us here...for the extra special help our own resident nurse Elise gave Phil's family over these past few weeks.
ReplyDeleteShe was tireless in answering Hilary's questions about Phil's symptoms, medications, ward observations, tests etc.
Elise was able to cut through all the jargon and simplify and explain things to the family.
That was hugely appreciated xxxxx
And guess where I found that 'Angel Nurse blanket' (above)?
Check it out: FLEECIES.COM
http://www.fleecies.com/nurse-gift-blanket.htm
And talking of Elise...I'm assured this is a true story about her a few years ago.....(Phil told me it was true!!).
"Nurses aren't supposed to laugh." John declared.
"Of course I won't laugh, I'm a professional nurse. In over twenty
years I've never laughed at a patient."
"Okay then," John said and proceeded to drop his trousers, revealing
the tiniest man thingy the nurse had ever seen. Length and width, it
couldn't have been bigger than a AAA battery.
Unable to control herself, the nurse started giggling then almost
fell to the floor laughing. A few minutes later she was able to
regain her composure .
"I'm so sorry," said the nurse. "I
don't know what came over me.
On my honor as a nurse and
a lady, I promise it won't happen again. Now tell me, what seems to
be the problem?"
"It's swollen," John replied.
Things went downhill from there.
George,,,We are both so saddened at the great loss of your close friend Not many get a chance of such a wonderful friendship What a pair you made too !!! like kids in a playground,,,up to no good.Please take care of yourself. Of course our thoughts also go to Hilary and her family they must be devastated Just such an unfair world
ReplyDeleteLove
Margaret and Brian xx
WELL, WHAT A WELCOME HOME, SWITCHED ON TO SEE THE PASSING OF OUR DEAR PHIL ON THE TITLE PAGE, RIP PHIL.
ReplyDeleteOUR PRAYERS GO OUT TO HILARY, SHERI and GEMMA, AND ALSO TO YOU GEORGE ON THE LOSS OF YOUR CELL MATE.
GOD BLESS, Chris and Shirley
Oh Phil we will all miss you so much,loved playing the word games with you.I never had the pleasure of meeting you bit will never forget you ,god bless you and our love to your very precious family xx
ReplyDeleteDearest George...so sad. What a great friend Phil was to so many. You two have gotten me through the worse days of my life. Sure will miss the Captain. I think of him now as sailing on beautiful blue smooth seas and perhaps Bernie, Peter and Bob join him occasionally for a laugh over a cold one. I sure miss those guys. Love, hugs and prayers to you, Hilary, Gemma, Sherri, Steven and all the hearts Phil has touched over the years.
ReplyDeleteLOVE,
Colleen xxxxx
Dear Colleen and Pauline xxx
ReplyDeleteYes, we go back an awful long way don't we? Phil was our rock throughout all those years - you could always depend on Phil to lift you, even at the very worst of times. And yes, I can just imagine those great Bollockeers in the sky sharing a pint and a joke right now. We miss them badly, but I'm positive they'll be having fun and mischief - as they always did.
George
Just seen the blog. I have not been at the computer for a few days. My thoughts are with Hilary and
ReplyDeleteThe family. My love goes out to
You all
Sarah xx