Thomas Frederick Phillips

Tom passed away unexpectedly, at home in his sleep, on October 13th, 2022. His sudden death was an overwhelming shock for his family and community. His death was due to a congenital heart condition that was discovered after his passing.

He is pre-deceased by his mother Eileen Phillips (née Mahood) and his father Oswald ‘Ossie’ Phillips.

He is survived by his sister Wendy Burgess (née Phillips) and her children Bradley and Sherry, and his sister Joan MacLean (née Phillips) and her daughter Beverley.

Tom was born and grew up in Peterborough, and he was a life-long champion of his home town. He graduated from the local Trent University with an Economics degree, and that would remain his field of expertise throughout his life. He went on to complete a Masters at York University in Toronto, and a Ph.D. at the New School for Social Research in New York City. He spent many years living his passion for teaching. He taught at Trent University and Sir Sanford Fleming College in Peterborough, and also at the University College of the Cayman Islands on Grand Cayman. He was tireless in his contributions to countless organizations and boards in Peterborough, as well as to continued research and publications with academic colleagues. Whenever he wasn’t working, he was golfing and socializing. His energy, enthusiasm, focus, and determination were admirable and infectious, and we’ll all miss his huge smile, quick wit, humour, intelligence, insightful knowledge, and seemingly endless number of entertaining stories.

Tom will be dearly missed by his family and his many, many beloved friends and colleagues in the Peterborough area and around the world.

There will be a Memorial Service for Tom at the Emmanuel United Church (previously known as the George Street United Church) at 534 George Street North, Peterborough on Saturday 19th November at 12 noon, with a reception to follow at "The Venue" 286 George Street North, Peterborough from 1:30 pm - 4:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto.