David MCPHILLIPS

DAVID McPHILLIPS With heavy hearts, we share that David McPhillips unexpectedly passed away from natural causes on August 12, 2022 at the age of 75. David grew up in Montreal, with his parents, Patrick and Beryl, and his sister, Nancy. He felt blessed to have had a happy childhood, raised by loving parents and surrounded by uncles, aunts, and cousins. He was a graduate of Loyola High School (1963) and Loyola (now Concordia) University (1967). He completed his MBA at the University of Western Ontario (1969) and his law degrees at McGill University (LLB, 1974) and, then, the University of BC (LLM, 1979). He was admitted to the Bar in BC in 1975. David felt fortunate to have attended Loyola High School and believed that his own successes in life were directly attributable to Loyola's expectations for academic rigour, student behaviour, ethics, and values. His school peers commented not only on his academic successes but also his athletic prowess, his sportsmanship, and the enduring connections he made with his teammates. As an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Commerce at UBC (1975-2002), David was known for his excellent and inspired teaching and received numerous awards. He loved to engage with his students, challenging them to deeply understand the topic at hand. He had little appetite for nonsense and expected his students to come prepared to work hard. That said, he was always available to help them as needed. His students would often contact him long after completing their studies to seek guidance or to touch base regarding their personal and professional lives. David was also one of the top labour arbitrators and mediators in BC (1980 - present). As a pillar of the labour relations community, he leaves a legacy through both his arbitration decisions and the relationships he respectfully fostered in all corners of the province and across Canada. His dedication to the field was reflected in the weeks of teaching he committed to various labour, management, and educational organizations each year. His success was universally recognized and often attributed to his thoughtful and principled approach to issues, coupled with his integrity and strong sense of fairness. A recurring theme throughout his life was the life-long friendships he made. He was loyal, generous with his time, and always willing to provide support. He had an uncanny ability to engage with people and leave them feeling heard. He had a fast, dry wit, but also some truly horrible jokes. David enjoyed his careers and appreciated all the friends in his life, but his ultimate priority was his family. David lived a full and happy life with his beloved wife, Kathleen Thomas; along with their cherished sons, Michael (Michelle) and Kevin (Charlene). He felt being a parent was the most important job there was, and he took an active part in the boys' lives. He coached them throughout minor hockey, loved to play golf and talk sports with them, and was always available for wise counsel regarding life challenges. His greatest joy these past few years was his grandchildren. David hated having his picture taken and did not know how to operate a camera - until his precious grandbabies arrived. He leaves his family, along with scores of friends, colleagues, students, lawyers, and labour relations practitioners, feeling his loss deeply but comforted with many warm memories. A Celebration of Life will be held mid-October with details to follow. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to KidsportBC or Ronald McDonald House BC in his honour.