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Philip Sanders Obituary
SANDERS, Philip Edward Passed away peacefully on July 3, 2010. Though only 73, he had lived a very full and colorful life. Born in New Jersey, he pursued many fascinating careers in neighboring New York City. He was the Senior Executive Decorator for Saks 5th Ave. His passion for costume design eventually led to his working on Broadway with the likes of Hal Prince and Bob Fosse and to the Met Opera working for Franco Zefferelli. He moved on in his career to become a make-up artist for NBC's soap operas. Needing a slower pace of life, he moved to Toronto to teach his ever popular theatrical make-up and costume design course at Seneca College where he met the love of his life, Betty Me-Sue Lee. Twenty years on, they moved to Victoria to be nearer to Betty's nieces and nephews, Jane and Phil and Ivy and Bob. Philip soon became an active member of the community working with the Flower Arrangers Guild, the Maltwood Museum and the Victoria Art Gallery showcasing his unique talents as a Master of the Sogetsu School of Ikebana. Occasionally he would fashion spectacular hats for the Butchart Gardens summer show and Emily Carr House. Phil was also a great lover of smooth Brussels Griffon dogs and a dog show judge. Phil is predeceased by his spouse Betty and his younger brother Gary, and survived by his older brother George. He leaves behind a multitude of friends, family and caregivers that so affectionately knew him as Uncle Phil". He will always be remembered for his incredible spirit of giving. A heartfelt thank you goes out to all the wonderful caregivers at Mt. Edwards Court, the place he referred to as home and also to his very dear doctor Kier Macmillan. A celebration of Philip's life will take place on Saturday, July 17 at 2 pm at the First Memorial on 4725 Falaise Drive, Victoria. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Canadian Diabetes Association. 595943
Memories and Condolences
for Philip Sanders
10 Entries
Dominic Ligori
July 28, 2010
I am so sorry to hear about Phil Sanders. Phil painted a mural on my first son's birth of a yellow bunny rabbit. I still have that bunny on the wall. Everytime I look at it my thoughts are of Phil and Betty. Wonderful memories. My children will not let me paint over it. I worked with both Betty and Phil as Seneca College and enjoyed their company very much. Both were true educators and friends. My prays are with the family.
July 17, 2010
Betty and Phil were both very dear friends of mine from our days at Seneca College. Betty helped me plan my wedding 34 years ago and Phil "gave me away" as well as making the veil and train for my bridal dress. They went shopping with me when I was pregnant for my 1st child, "so I wouldn't look like a female Buddha." Phil was the Godfather to my first son, Scott.
I loved their sense of humour and joy. Phil's stories of being in the Army would have all of us laughing so hard. He told us that he was the best at camouflage because of his placement of twigs and branches on his buddies' helmets.
I have missed them in my life being so far away on the West Coast. I picture them together and that gives me comfort.
Dianne Burley (Ontario)
Annie Fry
July 13, 2010
Betty and Phil had been such a big part of my life. I met them by pure accident at a Chinese dim-sum place in Vancouver. And our friendship had grown over the 40 years, even after they moved to Victoria. I treausre every minute of our time together; their support and their generosity will remain with me forever.
P.S. to Jane, I received your message and tried to call you back. May be I got the wrong number. Please call me cause I really would like to talk to you.
Tom Allan
July 13, 2010
It is very sad to lose a friend such a Phil. He was a wonderful, giving and caring individual with a great spirit about him. I met him and Betty through friends at Seneca College in Toronto and always enjoyed being around Phil as his love of life rubbed off on everyone around him. He will be greatly missed by everyone in his live he touched.
A whimsical creation by Uncle Phil
Sharon Yeo
July 12, 2010
I met Uncle Phil in the last years of his life through my friend Jane, his niece. He created spectacular hats for me to wear with my Victorian costumes in the Royal Victorian Fashion Society. These magnificent creations always ellicited gasps of delight from audiences. I wore them with great pride. His artistry and generosity will always have a place in my heart.
Kathy (Sanders) Goin
July 11, 2010
I am very proud of my Uncle Phil's artistry and creativity. He is the reason I pay attention to costumes and sets and flower arrangements, try different foods, and admire fashions (shopping!).
Uncle Phil was very dignified with a wonderfullly silly and lighthearted side. As a child, I lived in fear and delight of having my epiglottis "removed" and always enjoyed hearing about his experiences and stories about our family. I will miss those times with him the most.
I hope the first thing Uncle Phil heard after leaving us was Aunt Betty's laugh.
My favorite photo of Uncle Phil and Aunt Betty, I love how he clutches her hand.
Kathy Goin
July 11, 2010
Uncle Phil made me feel like a princess on my wedding day. His generosity will never be forgotten.
Kathy Goin
July 11, 2010
I show this picture to others to show them that there is style and class in my family (because they wouldn't know it from me).
Kathy Goin
July 11, 2010
Anne-Marie Deryaw
July 10, 2010
Philip was a most amazing, wonderful, creative and inspirational person. I attended his presentation on hat design where he shared with us a view into the real world of designing hats. He was very kind, tremendously sharing and a true star of a human being. He will be missed.
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