Obituary of James Thomas Phillips
James Thomas Stanley Phillips DVM (Doc)
After a brief illness, Jimmy passed away peacefully at the age of 95 on June 14, 2024 at St. Catharines Hospital surrounded by the love of his family.
Jimmy was born in 1929 in Waterdown, Ontario to parents Stan and Alma Phillips and grew up on a farm where his love of animals flourished. He graduated in 1954 from the Ontario Veterinary College in Guelph. After graduation, he worked in large animal practices in Fisherville and Caledonia and then a small animal practice in Stoney Creek. However, Doc spent most of his career as a partner at Wilson’s Animal Hospital on Hartzel Road in St. Catharines.
Jim and Clara raised a family of five children in Niagara-on-the-Lake. The family homestead was always filled with many pets from hamsters to horses. Noel, the cat will miss sitting beside Dad in his favourite chair. In retirement, Doc spent time traveling to Florida with Clara, golfing, fishing, riding his bike, cutting his lawn on the John Deere, playing cards with the “barn group” and spending time with his children and grandchildren. His favourite thing was to visit the Van Nest cottage on Ahmic Lake with all his family. Jim described it as a little piece of heaven.
He is survived by his loving wife and soulmate of 65 years, Clara (Walsh) and his beloved five children Carol Hunter (Sam), Tim Phillips, Dr. Janice Phillips (Joe Delaney), Joanne Van Nest (Matthew) and Kevin Phillips (Ola). “Pooker” will be sadly missed by his eight grandchildren Danielle (James), Kelly, Rachel (Jake), Kate (Eric), Lucas (Kristin), Amy, Alex and James. Jim will be missed by over 45 nieces and nephews as well as in-laws Dr. Fred Walsh, Anne Primeau, Leo and Sharon Walsh, Kathy Walsh, and Mike and Sheila Voisin. He is reunited in heaven with his parents, sister Helen, and brothers Joseph and Patrick as well as many in-laws on the Walsh side.
Our family would like to say a very special thank you to all the home support workers who allowed Jim to stay in his own home especially Ivy James. Thank you to Alana Harrod his “partner in crime”. They had many walks, long talks and other adventures together. The entire family also greatly appreciates the love and support of his niece Shelley Walsh. Jim was grateful to all for their care, compassion and support.
Most importantly, Jimmy was a man of deep faith who was a kind, generous, gentle man who always had a keen sense of humour right until the end. He was the heart of our family and family was everything to him. He was so proud of all his children and grandchildren and all their accomplishments. Every conversation he had with family was important to him and it would always end with a “God Bless You”.
A mass will be held at St. Vincent de Paul Church, 73 Picton St. Niagara-on-the-Lake on July 6, 2024 at 11:00 a.m, followed by a reception at 12:30 p.m. at 2 Anderson Lane, NOTL to celebrate his beautiful life. Donations in Jim’s honour can be made to the MS Society of Canada or Chalice (chalice.ca). Final arrangements have been entrusted to George Darte Funeral Home, 585 Carlton Street, St. Catharines.