Philip Robert Macfarlane, D.D.S., Captain RCDC

Phillip died peacefully on Sunday, December 19, 2010, in Maple, Ontario, at the age of 92. He is survived by his loving wife Catherine Maw (nee Cain), his children John, Robin and Lesley, his grandchild Phillip Miles and his great-grandchild Tayler Anne.  He was an admired stepfather to Deborah and Stephen and their families.

Phil was born in Toronto on September 27, 1918, the only child of Hilda Binns and Robert Macfarlane. Phil graduated from Bloor Collegiate in 1938 and from the Dentistry School at the University of Toronto in 1943. Upon graduation, Phil was immediately posted by the Canadian army to British Columbia and later overseas, where he rose to the rank of Captain. After the war, Phil set up his dental practice in Woodbridge and later moved to Richmond Hill until his retirement in 1975. After retirement, Phil served a stint as a dentist in the Caribbean for CIDA.

Phil wore many hats: member of the Maple Public School Board, chair of the Richmond Hill High School Board, a Freemason, a member of the Rose Croix, Scottish Rite (he received his 50-year pin in 2002) and a Shriner. Always adventurous, even as a teenager, he worked his way to England on a cattle boat as a summer excursion. Once there, he bought a used bicycle and toured England and Scotland. He ended up selling his bike for more than he paid for it: a true Scot. 

Phil had many interests outside of dentistry, including photography, scuba diving, skiing, and landscaping the property behind his home. There was nothing Phil enjoyed more than being on the water, whether it was sea kayaking, sailing or summering on the Georgian Bay. Phil was the first senior to kayak from south to north on the Queen Charlotte Islands. He loved with a passion the wild rugged beauty of Georgian Bay and all of its challenges. His cabin was located 7 miles offshore and consisted of a bald rock with one tree. When the storms rolled in, as they often did, Phil would stand on the rocks with the waves and spray crashing around him and his expression would be one of pure wonder and joy.

Phil was a visionary with a well-developed sense of humour, sometimes funny, sometimes hilarious and occasionally extremely wicked. Being married to Phil felt like you were in the wake of a comet or maybe just hanging on to its tail, but it was all so worthwhile. All of us will feel the void resulting from his passing, although we unfortunately lost him bit by bit over the past several years. Phil’s family owes a debt of gratitude to Josephine Ho, who was an ongoing source of care and comfort during his last long days and nights.

At Phil’s request, the funeral will be private. Those wishing to remember Phil are asked to make a donation to a charity of your choice.  Arrangements by Egan Funeral Home, Bolton (905-857-2213). 

Condolences for the family may be offered at www.EganFuneralHome.com

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