Dr. Carlyle Phillips passed away in his 82nd year on Aug. 6, 2016, at home in Halifax, surrounded by family, love and music. Carlyle was born in Arlington, P.E.I., on July 26, 1934, the son of the late William and Dorothea (Rodd) Phillips. After grade school in Arlington, Carlyle attended Summerside High, Prince of Wales College and then Dalhousie University where he graduated in medicine in 1961. Following graduation, he did general practice in Halifax, initially with his brother Ralph. After two and a half years Carlyle relocated and opened his own practice in Halifax. In 1973, he joined the Dalhousie Department of Family Medicine as a full-time faculty member working as a teacher. He continued to practice family medicine until he retired in 1993. During a sabbatical in 1990-91, Carlyle studied palliative medicine in London, Scotland, New Zealand and Australia. He returned to Halifax and was instrumental in establishing the Palliative Care Program at the Victoria General Hospital. He practiced this specialty until retirement in 1999. He was an active member in the St. Andrew’s United Church, the Canadian College of Family Physicians (provincially and nationally), and the Canadian Society of Palliative Care Physicians. Carlyle often reflected on the satisfaction he enjoyed from providing patient care and teaching student doctors for 38 years. He felt very privileged to have had the opportunity to be involved in the care of people at both ends of the life cycle — delivering babies and later bringing comfort to the dying. In 1994, he recognized a need for a guide for symptom management for physicians who care for dying cancer patients. In 2000, he published “Comfort Care, Palliative Care Symptom Management of Cancer Patients, A Guide for Physicians”. Carlyle loved his family and was very devoted to them. He formed wonderful memories and was happiest at the family summer home in Stanley Bridge, P.E.I. He loved music, photography, trout fishing, golfing, gardening and barbequing. He enjoyed singing with the St. Andrew’s Church Men’s Choir, “The Him Singers”, the Morden Mountain Music Group and the Dalhousie Medical School Coral. He was a member of Ashburn Golf Club (Halifax), Anderson’s Creek Golf Club (Stanley Bridge, P.E.I.), Phi Rho Sigma Medical Fraternity and Alpha Omega Alpha Honour Medical Society. Carlyle is survived by his wife of 57 years, Virginia “Ginny” (Coffin); four children, Brigham (Briar Boake) Toronto, Bruce (Karen) Truro, Michael (Emma Burton) Bracebridge, Ontario, and Heather (David Rasmussen) Halifax; grandchildren, Alyssa, Julia, Joanna, Ramona, Molly, Cali and Linden; sisters, Edna (late Archie) MacGregor (Lakeside) and Carolyn (Gary) Ross (Ajax, Ontario). Besides his parents, Carlyle was predeceased by siblings, George, Ralph, Wendell, Eleanor Gates and Gwendolyn Matthew. Cremation has taken place under the direction of Atlantic Funeral Home 6552 Bayers Rd, Halifax. A celebration of Carlyle’s life will take place Sept. 10 at 11 a.m. in St. Andrew’s United Church (corner of Coburg Road and Robie Street) where a reception will follow. Family flowers only. Donations in memory may be made to St. Andrew’s United Church or a charity of choice. Online condolences may be made by visiting The Halifax chapel at www.atlanticfuneralhomes.com.

Condolences