Brian Cotter (colleague at Life Management Centre 1991-93)

Entered December 14, 2024 from Toronto

I am so sorry for Phil's wife, family and friends at his recent loss which I only just learned (Dec 14/24). I had the great pleasure of meeting and getting to know Phil when we were sharing the experience of career and work life transition as we looked for new career paths and opportunities. Phil never failed to share his insight, executive experience and enthusiasm for life despite the trying circumstances of our work search amid a bizarre collection of others in the same circumstances but especially as we worked through doing so amid the long recession of 1991-94. Phil and I stayed in touch for a while including a visit to his lovely home in the Beaches in 1995 when he made me the BEST cucumber, tuna and guacamole sandwich I've ever devoured. What a creative Chef.

And I well remember Phil's dry wit, quips and fabulous humourous tales including sharing our time tales as Officers in the Cdn Forces -- Phil in the RCN and me a decade and a hold later in the Air Element (once and now RCAF). I'll never forget the boyish delight and twinkle in his eye as he shared the line he and his young Midshipman and Acting Sub Lt's (Subbies) used to use while trying to impress young women in ports like San Diego, San Fransisco, Pearl Harbour, etc., they visited while on summer Training Cruises aboard relatively small RCN Destroyer Escorts and Frigates: "I've had more water over me than under me!" {whilst standing watch on their tiny open bridges}. His recollection and delivery of a line like that from his 'misspent youth' was typical Phil in soooo many ways. We laughed heartily including when I shared my line: "Sorry babe... I fly at dawn!" which he'd never heard. I'm not sure any of our lines got us to first base but by then the silly bravado was so much fun to share in our trying times of our search for new career paths. Phil taught me so much and was a great mentor even though our industries were so different (his glass and building construction and mine book publishing and later TV/Film). But at heart we shared a common link from our sales experience and he sparred no effort in trying to hook me up with a few of his friends and contacts. Phil had a way of cutting to the chase... seeing things with a sharp focus and clarity and to summing things up so well. He also had incredible discipline and analytical ability the latter being one of the great gifts he gave me... among others. Just being around Phil was great fun as he thought on a different plane that most executives I ever met.

I'm so glad he went on to even further success and a fine retirement. I would have loved to have re-connected with him and kick myself for not trying to trick him down sooner. RIP Phil. My deepest condolences to his wife and family. Sincerely

Brian Cotter
North York
c 416-985-9153