Mr. Philip Mew

Philip was born 68 years ago, on April 13, 1953, in Vancouver, BC. His family had recently immigrated from Guangdong, China. He was the youngest of six children born to June Kam Wan and Henry Jock Hoi Mew and the only one born in Canada.

He grew up in the heart of Vancouver in a home on West 11th Avenue, just off Granville Street. As a growing toddler, he watched his brothers and sisters help his parents at the family grocery store, Sun On Market, on Granville Street. He attended Cecil Rhodes Elementary School and Eric Hamber Secondary School. He graduated from UBC with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1976, and although he also obtained his Teaching Certificate, he never ended up teaching. Instead, he became a city Engineering Inspector for road work, and enjoyed his work with his co-workers. He saved hard and purchased his duplex in 1990.

Philip had many interests. He loved to cook. He loved cars. He loved art, pop culture and collectibles… Hot Wheels, Barbies, Pokemon, Swarovski crystals, Robert Bateman, Madonna and other models and pop stars… but his greatest passion was for Star Wars, comics, and trading cards. He took early retirement in 2015 to fix up his duplex and finally enjoy his extensive collection. He took a trip to San Francisco with his parents and made life-long friends, and dreamed of traveling more and one day visiting Hawaii. An avid reader, Philip had numerous books and magazines on many different topics. He had a strong interest and appreciation for World and Military History. He was the photographer in the family and was responsible for capturing the many family gatherings and his growing brood of niece and nephews. He will be remembered by his family and friends for his generosity, kindness and playful, goofy spirit.

Philip started to experience first symptoms of his illness in 2017. He was finally diagnosed with a rare condition called Multiple System Atrophy. Philip loved classic literature and as Dicken’s would say… “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times”. He met Sahlee Doyaoen while in care and once they found each other, they were never apart. It was the love story he had always dreamed of – she was a cat lover just like him. They spent his last months together in person or in spirit – Sahlee never left his side.

Since the onset of his symptoms Philip was hospitalized several times and eventually transferred to Lakeview Care Centre in June 2020. On February 28th of this year, he aspirated and came down with severe pneumonia in his lungs. He fought courageously and miraculously recovered with family able to be with him at the hospital through that difficult month. However, on March 28th, he aspirated again, and had no strength left to fight another battle. He passed away with his partner Sahlee, and sister Eunice, by his side.

Philip is predeceased by his parents, Henry Mew and June Mew, and survived by his beloved, Sahlee Doyaoen, and a large extended family: siblings Jayne, John, Eunice, Holm (Mei), and Anne (Jim); nieces and nephews Janet (Danny), Jaime, Jason (Emily), Tiffany, Melissa (Scott), Natalya, Stephan (Chantal), Eric, Tracy, and Justin; and grand-nieces and grand-nephews Ethan, Jasmine, Lily, Thea, Jack, Aaden, Ryan, Aurora, Sean, Kristine, Michael, Mila, and Maddison.

The family would like to express their gratitude to the staff at Lakeview Care Centre (5th floor) for their care of Philip this past year. They would also like to thank Dr. Tamara Delorme, Dr. David Lee, and staff of the 7th floor of the Vancouver General Hospital Blackmore Pavilion for their kindness, compassion, and care.

Philip was laid to rest at Capilano View Cemetery in West Vancouver on April 13, 2021. In lieu of flowers, charitable donations may be made, in honour of Philip Mew, to Defeat Multiple System Atrophy Canada at https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/defeat-msa-multiple-system-atrophy-canada/.