Sad news this holiday season: Dave’s dad died December 23. Here are some thoughts Dave gathered for the obituary.
Phil was born and raised in the Kirkland Lake area. Oldest of 5, he grew up quickly due to the untimely death of his mother. At Queens for an engineering degree, he enjoyed all facets of university life, including football, water polo (he’s in the center of the top row, here) and the Mining/Metallurgy society. After graduation, he headed west to straighten roads, work the oil patch, and mine in Uranium City. Settling down as a mine engineer with Inco in Levack, he met his partner for life, Margo, at a Grey Cup party. Once the two kids had joined the family, they settled in Lively.
Rock mechanics was his passion and he rose to head the Rock Mechanics department at Inco, building a world-class team and solving difficult problems. An early adopter of computers, he helped develop micro-seismic monitoring systems which improved mine safety. His expertise had him traveling the world on loan from Inco as a consultant. After retiring, he took on the location and creation of the SNO cavern in Creighton mine, a 7-year job he cherished due to the challenge and pure science involved. He was honored by CIM/ICM for his significant and lasting contribution in rock mechanics.
Though he led a quiet life at home, no trip to Sudbury was complete without someone stopping him to chat about the mines. Friends with few, known by all: that was Phil. Outside work, he enjoyed cross-country skiing and badminton. Upon full retirement, he enjoyed cottage life on Manitoulin, and helping Margo raise funds for Steven Lewis’s Grandmothers Campaign.
Thanks for everything Dad. You will be missed.