We Remember
WHITE, Dr. Philip
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Dr. Philip Anthony White passed away, after a short illness, on Sunday, December 20, 2015 at the age of 70. Survived by his loving wife Marlies; two sons: Philip Arthur (Annette) and their son Philip Aidan of Kelowna, Andrew Piers (Jennine) and their children Ella and Finnley of Hong Kong and his sister Valerie Brown of the UK. Predeceased by his father Philip Alfred and mother Evelyn. Dr. Philip White served as the Medical Director and one of the original Chairs of the BC Cancer Agency’s Family Practice Oncology Network since its establishment in 2002. Under his leadership, the Network developed its nationally renowned General Practitioner in Oncology Training Program. Dr. White also led the development and publication of a collection of cancer care guidelines customized specifically for family physicians. A highly regarded family physician in Kelowna and Chief of Staff at Kelowna General Hospital from 1983 to 2001, Dr. White had the insight, the expertise and the charm to drive the Network’s success. He was an active member as well of the Doctors of BC, a board member of Ovarian Cancer Canada and took part enthusiastically in many other initiatives dedicated to improving primary care oncology. A private family service will be held. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Dr. White’s name may be made to Kelowna General Hospital Foundation, www.kghfoundation.com. If you wish to send a condolence, post photos or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area called “Share Your Condolences.”
Service
A private family service will be held.
I am so very saddened to hear of the passing of Dr. White. He has been our family doctor for over 30 years. He was a wonderful doctor and a kind man. Sending condolences to his family.
We are very sorry for your family’s loss. We are very thankful for the care we received from Dr White over the last 35 years. We will miss him so very much.
Marlies and family. I was so shocked and saddened to hear that Dr. white passed away. He will be missed by so many and truly was an amazing Doctor and friend for over 30 years. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this very difficult time.
I am deeply sorry for your loss Marlies. Words are never enough but know you are in my thoughts and prayers
It is with great sadness to hear of the passing of Dr. White. He has been my family Doctor for 35 years. He took excellent care of each and every family member. He will be sorely missed by his patients and the whole medical field in Kelowna. Rest in peace Dr. White. May the Lord look after your family here on earth and welcome you home in Heaven.
I’m so sorry to hear of Dr. White’s passing. He was a truly great doctor that really seemed to care about his patients. He will be missed by many. The world just got a little less bright.
Our deepest condolences to all Dr. Whites family. He was our doctor for 23 years. We will miss him and we are so thankful for his care over those years.
My sincerest condolences to Philip’s family and friends. He contributed greatly to the BC Cancer Agency, where I work, as well as to the whole medical community in Kelowna for so many years. I’m inspired with all that he took on and accomplished. A life well lived.
On behalf of my family I would like to send our deepest condolences to the family of Dr White. It was with great sadness to learn of his passing. He was a truly amazing Doctor friend and mentor. Over the past 34 years I knew I could always count on him. He brought my two beautiful children into this world and was always there with his wisdom, words of advice and quick wit. We will all miss him very much!
My family came under the care of Dr. White just after he arrived in Kelowna in 1980. I will always remember his kindness and professionalism alongside a sly smile and jelly beans for the more youthful patients. I am profoundly saddened by his loss and send my sympathy to his family, staff and fellow patients. He will be missed.
Marlies and family,
I had the honor and privilege to work with Dr. White. He was an excellent doctor, teacher and mentor. Dr. White was a great advocate and supporter of interdisciplinary health care teams and Nurse Practitioners. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this very difficult time.
Regards,
Louann Janicki
Very sadden to hear of Phillip’s passing. Our prayers are with you and the family Marlies.
Doctor White was such a wonderful, caring and hard working man. I was very fortunate to have him as my family physician and send my heartfelt condolences to his family at this very sad time. Please know that he had a tremendous impact on me and I am most grateful for his care.
So very sorry to hear about Phils passing. He was a very compassionate Dr. and friend. He will be missed by many,
We are extremely shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of Dr. White. He was our family doctor for many years, and a friend to all of us. As a doctor he was beyond compare, the very best we could have had. He will be thought of often, and be sadly missed. Our deepest condolences to Marlies and family.
Dr. White was our family Doctor for 29 years and we could have never wished for a better Dr. One of his many strong points was he never hesitated to refer us to a specialist when needed. We will miss him. Our prayers are with the family at this sad time.
The challenge in writing an obituary is to encapsulate the significance of a life ‘n personality that so immeasurably impacted the lives of so many ‘n to do it in a way that accurately conveys the depth of gratitude ‘n appreciation owed to the subject. What you as a family have written with love and heartache for Dr. Phil White… is beyond words. A beautiful tribute…
Dr. White was our family doctor… friend … ‘n confidant…. He gave us 5 more years with our late mother…. ‘n he loved her English pudding.
Words at this time to express what is in our hearts for all of you are so hard to find ‘n I am certain, if we found the words they would be inadequate.
I found a passage… that I would like to share with you that I feel speaks eloquently about our friend ‘n doctor:
~ His life was so gentle …..’n the elements so mixed in him… that nature might stand up and say to all the world…. this is a man. ~
Take care of each other ‘n may you find comfort in each other as the days go on ….. may you often remember from the heart all the memories kept there to love ‘n cherish which will become sweeter ‘n richer with time. You are in our thoughts and hearts.
Dave and Karie Hay
i was very sad to hear about dr white he was a great man and was my doctor for over 30 years mt deepest condolences go out to your family
So very saddened to learn of the passing of Dr. White. My trusted Dr. for over 30 years. You will be missed greatly!
My condolences to the family
Dr White was my family Dr for close to 30 years!
He was not only my family physician he was my friend
Kind caring and brilliant! I will miss him every day
Philip was my first friend when I moved to Kelowna in 1982 with my two children. I’ve appreciated him so much as a friend, as a valued Colleague at KGH, and as my Physician over the past 30+ years. He is already missed.
We are very sad to hear about Dr. White’s passing. He was our doctor & friend for over 30 years with his wisdom & quick wit. As a doctor he was of no compare. Condolences go out to his family.
im so sorry to hear of his passing he was a great man and was my doctor for 35 years he will be greatly missed
It is so hard for me to put into words the loss that myself and my family feel at this time. He was our doctor from the time we moved here. He was there for us when my husband was diagnosed with lung cancer. He will be greatly missed by us all! Rest in peace Dr. White. Our sincere condolences from all of us!!
We are very shocked and saddened to learn of Dr Phil’s passing. My husband became a patient during a challenging time, medically. Dr Phil had a way of getting things done where others were unable and was undaunted by the challenge. Actually, I believe he relished it! We send gentle thoughts and kind wishes to family, friends and all affected. We are all so much better for having known him.
I’m very sorry for the loss to his family, I seen him kinda as family. He delivered me almost 28 years ago, he’s been my doctor all my life and a great one he was.
We are so deeply saddened to hear of Dr. White’s passing. He was our family doctor for 20+ years and we couldn’t have asked for a better doctor. We will never forget how much Dr. White did for our family and we will miss him everyday.
Our prayers are with your family.
We extend our deepest sympathies to all who knew and loved Dr.White.
He will be greatly missed and always in our hearts.
I have been a patient – and friend – of Dr. White’s since 1983. My entire family is stunned and saddened by his passing. Our deepest condolences to Marlies and all the family. He will be missed by us all.
I am so saddened to hear of Philip’s sudden passing. He was a solid professional colleague and as Chief of Staff at Kelowna General Hospital worked very hard to support the establishment and opening of the (SIndi Ahluwalia) Cancer Centre for the Southern Interior. Without his effective and constructive support, Dr. Bill Nelems, then Regional Vice-President, Dr. Kong Khoo, Professional Practice Leader for Medical Oncology, and myself as Professional Practice Leader for Radiation Oncology, and the rest of our Centre Leadership Team, would have had a much more difficult time getting operations underway in 1998. He was the bridge and facilitator between the first local group of BC Cancer Agency oncologists and the Medical Staff of KGH at a time when the influence of a Regional Cancer Centre on a large community hospital such as KGH were uncertain. I always appreciated Philip’s sage advice and personal support. He will be much missed by his patients and colleagues alike. My sincere condolences to his wife and family.
We were deeply saddened to learn of Dr. White’s passing. He became our family doctor in 1980 and since then has looked after us, our children and parents with great care and attention. He was the perfect family doctor: consistently thoughtful, professional and sensitive over all these years. We’ll miss his sharp mind, unique sense of humour and our wide-ranging discussions. The jelly beans too. Our sincere condolences to his family.
How saddened we are with the loss of such a wonderful person and doctor. I have been his patient in the past few years when he took me on and see me every two weeks. He was such a
kind and understanding person, always one to chat and make sure all bases were covered. Our condolences to Marlies and his family.
I am in utter shock only learning of Dr. White’s passing today, Dec. 23rd, as I called to make a quick appointment!! I didn’t even know he had been ill! This is the downside to never having to visit your family doctor!! Like so many others, he has been our doctor to my sons and I for 31 years! He even took my future daughter-in-law as a new patient just last year! I am soooo sad I will never see him again or even had the chance to say I was sorry he wasn’t well! Deepest condolences to his wife and family for their loss as well as the medical community! We truly will miss him!
We are saddened by Phil passing and I will miss him as a colleague and old friend. Sincere condolences to Marlies and the family and hopefully Phil’s wonderful achievements will brighten the day. Sincerely from Don, Chris and the family
I am deeply saddened by Dr. White’s passing. I’ve been a patient for over 30 years. In that time he has helped me in so many ways, far to many to mention. He was my Doctor and he was my friend. I will miss you immensely.
Love Sharon
I am sorry to hear of Dr. White passing.My heart felt condolences goes out to his family. I am a nurse at KGH and will always remember his kindness and gentle soul, a man that truly cared about his patients and coworkers. I will always remember him coming in first thing in the morning Timmies coffee in hand ,smile on his face and always asking how you were and how your day was going without fail. He will be greatly missed .. Such a huge loss.
My deepest condolences go out to Dr. White’s family. He was an amazing family physician, and he will be greatly missed.
I am so very saddened to hear of Dr. White’s passing. He was a lovely and compassionate man who cared deeply for his patients. My condolences to his family and staff. My family will miss him dearly.
It was with a sense of great sadness & loss, when I learnt of Dr. White’s passing. Phil was my friend & physician for over 30 years. Besides being an excellent physician, he was a skilled pilot & a competitive squash player. My condolences to his wife, Marlies, & his family. He will be greatly missed.
My thoughts are with Marlies and family. I am so sincerely sorry for your loss. I had the privilege of knowing and working with Dr White for a short time and I will always remember him for his kind smile and sense of humour. A great loss to the community.
Dr White was my doctor when I moved here in 1981 and he was the best there is.my thoughts and prayers are with the family RIP Dr White Kelowna will always remember you
We are very deeply saddened by the news of Dr. White passing. He was a very kind man and an excellent Doctor – he was our family doctor for almost 30 years. Our condolences to his family, he will be missed very much. Rest in peace dear Doctor White.
So sorry to hear of Dr whites passing- he has been our family dr since 91 & felt he was more that a dr– but a friend, comforter, and support unmatched in this day & age!! He was such a blessing, i can’t tell in the many ways. i am a social wker & worked with him on cases too & as a professional i couldn’t have more respect & admiration for his care of his patients!! thx dr White for all you added to my life!! my condolences to his family!!
dr White would stop in & have a beer at my dtrs work place a local pub– and she too could say more about what a wonderful man he was!! thank you for sharing him with us!!
Dr. White was the most amazing man he was my grandparents, parents, and my Dr. As a child he would always calm me with his classic jar of jelly beans. When I got cancer at 21 he helped me get healthy. It makes me cry he died. Dr White deserved to retire with his family, but he was too kind, honourable, and caring of others to take the time for himself. May God bless you and your family. I am forever indebted to you, Thank you from the Sipe family
My family and I are so saddened at Dr. White’s passing. He was a truly caring doctor and helped us in so many ways, sometimes by just listening. He will be greatly missed and never forgotten.
so sad to hear of Dr Whites passing – he has been a friend and doctor for our family since 1983 – he will be sadly missed as someone who was very kind and understanding – Dennis and Lois McNaught
We are both so saddened and heartsick on the passing of Dr. White. He will be remembered and missed deeply by both of us. He was not only a good man, but a healer, a person who really cared for all who came to see him. His mission was to make people whole. I remember asking him when he planned on retiring; he answered, never.
He was truly a man dedicated to his practice, and should be an example to all who take the Hippocratic Oath. A tremendous loss to all who knew him and were cared for by him. He was a rare gem the likes of which we will likely not see again.
Our condolences to his family and friends, and to all who were under his care.
Donna and Rick
It was with extreme sadness that I read of Doctor White’s passing- he was such a great character and always full of fun and surprises. I knew him professionally for over 17 years. And, I chuckle at some of our moments together. He was not shy of the gas pedal on his car – he was not a slow driver! Family and friends – I am sorry for your profound loss at this time. My thoughts are with you. Deborah Shields
Dignity, kindness, intelect and respect; these are words my memory of Dr. White brings to me. I am so sorry to hear of his passing.
Dear Marlies, Phillip, Andrew and Family,
We are so very sorry ot here of Phil’s Passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time. It was a privilege to have know him as our Doctor and Friend for so many years. Love The Cloutier Family
We just found out that our dearest and most precious family gp Dr White passed away on Dec 20. Today is the 27th of Dec and I am in shock. I have been praying for him and his family since we were told he was off with an illness for last several weeks. I am so sad that he did not get to have some years retired and relaxing a bit with his family whom he loved dearly.He told me that his Mom and his Mother in law both lived in his house with he and his wife , in their own suites. I told him he was an amazing son for looking after his family in such a nice way .He was also so committed to his practice and all his many patients.
Dr White you were truly a wonderful friend confidant and doctor to our family. We miss and love you.
May God bless your family at this time of sadness
Love The Howes xo
We are so very sad to hear of Dr. White’s passing. He cared for us for 33 years – a wonderful and gifted doctor who always looked after us and all of his patients no matter how busy he was. We are very thankful that he was our doctor for so many years and will miss him very much. Our deepest sympathy to his wife, sons and family.
When David and I moved to Kelowna in 1979, we were happy to find Dr. White available to take on new patients. Having delivered both our children Krysti and Jayson now in their 30’s , Dr. White took care of our medical needs in an extremely caring , skilled and thorough manner. He will be truly missed.
I was shocked when I heard of Dr. White’s passing, he was an amazing doctor and took me on as patient a few years ago, although he had was not excepting new patients at the time. He was the best doctor I have ever had and a huge heart, plus was more of a friend than a doctor. My condolences to his family, he will be missed beyond words.
I am so sadden by Dr. White’s passing, he was an amazing human being and I was blessed to have had him as my Doctor. Dr. White was always there for me and my family, delivering my last baby in 1993 and taking on my aging parents who lived out of town when they needed special care. I have recited episodes of his care over the years to many, how my children looked for the jelly beans and how dedicated he was to providing the best health care no matter what it took. My deepest sympathy to his wife, family and all those that he care for!
Phil and I spent our formative years together at The Portsmouth Grammar School in England and I recall memorable times both there and at his family home in Paulsgrove and Hayling Island, Hampshire. We send our condolences to Zandra, Philip and Andrew. Paul and Carol
I am so sorry to hear of Dr. White’s passing. He was a great Doctor and a great man, and will be missed. I will always remember his humour, and his genuine concern…
Dr. Phil White was our family for 30 years . I can not even tell you the depth of how much we respected and trusted him. Our loss as a family is huge I can not even imagine how hard this must be for his family and colleagues. Our deepest sympathy go out to those who loved him. We certainly did.
Me and my whole family would just like to say he was ana amazing man who always had a smile on his face for the 10 years we were blessed to be his patients, your condolence to his family and friends may his sould rest in peace. Here to an inspiring man! Rest in peace love the Lee’s
I am saddened and shocked to hear of Dr. White’s passing. He made such a difference in my life by recommending a curative procedure, not just medicating away the symptoms.
So sad.
I’m so completely heartbroken to hear the news of Dr. White”s passing. He was the only Dr. I knew. He cared for me since I was just a little girl. I would make yearly trips to Kelowna from Vancouver when I moved because I refused to find myself a doctor in the mainland to do my checkups. He was never short of jelly beans no matter how old I was. I would run up and give him the biggest hug and was always met with the warmest smile. My heart goes out to all who loved him. I will miss you Dr. White , for your great big heart, your wonderful laugh and the smile that will light up the heavens! Keep you in my heart always!
It was a shock to see the obituary of Dr. White, in the paper. I had to look several times to make sure. I got to know him at the hospital while I worked as a cashier in the hospital. It was soon very evident to me what a special person he was. He had no pretense about him, he was honest and did not mess around. He had the kindest eyes and smile. He was the one that pointed out to me how the hospital was not kept clean enuf!! So each time I see the hospital being updated and the corners looking cleaner, I think of him and think how right he was. He was also the one that pointed out to me that bagels were the hippy version of donuts!! More calories than donuts. That really surprised me and each time I see a bagel I think of him again. I do know that on the medical side people had only good things to say about him.
He left a hole in my heart for sure and I know that he will be missed by all who know him, but none more so than his family.
there was one who I worked with, while in dietary and she told me how she and her family were always included in his marvelous Christmas home celebration. She loved him and I know for sure that she will be reminded of him each time Christmas rolls around.
May you feel God’s love holding you tightly at this time.
I was very saddened to hear of Dr. White’s sudden passing. He was my Dr for over 30 years, from childhood to womanhood. I am grateful for his talks, guidance, advice & many memories to carry with me. My deepest condolences to your family.
Nensi Barisic
Dr. White was an amazing doctor and cared so much for everyone. He took Very good care of my father . We will always remember his special smiles, his hellos , waves and coffee drinking. Heaven gained a remarkable man . He will truly be missed by us. Hugs to the family and RIP Dr. White.
Dear Marlies, We are so very sad for your loss. Philip was an outstanding physician and we feel so privileged to have been in his care for the last 12 years. Philip has impacted our lives in so many positive ways, and we always enjoyed his wit and sense of humour. We miss him very much and will never forget him. May he rest in peace.
Elizabeth and Kevin Henry and Family.
Dear the family of Dr. White,
I was sad to find out about the passing of Dr. White. He was a wise, kind and caring physician who will be greatly missed!
With heartfelt condolences,
K. Morden
Our family was saddened to hear this. He was my doctor since I was a child in the early eighties, and was there when both my children were born. He always felt like a part of our family. Our condolences to his family.
So very sorry to hear the sadden death of your husband Marlies. You are not alone, so welcome to my world. Positive, Philip and my husband John are flying high with the Almighty God forever. Philip was such a kind and generous to share his Hangar to our Kelowna and District Flying Club’s Christmas events in December 2, 2014 and December 2, 2015. Such loss!!! He will be sorely missed. Out thoughts and prayers will be with you and your family.
My deepest sympathy,
Yolanda V.T. Fradette
Dear family of Dr Phillip White,
I was very saddened to hear of Phillips passing in 2015. Condolences from all of our family in Scotland and Vancouver, BC where he used to visit us on our Loch Lomond farm, when we were all very young. Phillip used to hand make the most wonderful cane fishing rods during rest periods then. Forever in our thoughts. Thanks for your wonderful heart Phillip.