Dr. Hugh MacDonald Philip
September 8, 1923 ~ January 21, 2017
Born in India to a Scottish civil engineer father and a French-speaking Belgian mother, Hugh spent his youth in Scottish boarding schools and the family home in Belgium. Towards the end of WW II, he trained as a navigator in South Africa with the Royal Air Force. After the war, he hitchhiked through Europe, discovered Scandinavia, and studied veterinary medicine at the Royal (Dick) Veterinary College in Edinburgh. Hugh came to Canada in 1955, to work for the University of Guelph's College of Veterinary Medicine. There he was smitten by Evelyn Curran, who was teaching home economics at Guelph, and they married in 1957. After residing briefly in Armstrong, BC, they bought, in 1958, a veterinary practice in Chilliwack that eventually became the partnership still known as the Cheam View Veterinary Hospital. Hugh and Evelyn raised their three children in Sardis on their small hobby farm with many ponies and horses, two cats, and a dog. In 1980 they retired to Aldergrove, where for 30 years they enjoyed their small acreage, camper trips, and, most of all, visits from their two grandchildren who lived close by. A natural athlete in boarding school, the young Hugh was a formidable boxer, a high jump and long jump champion, and an enthusiastic rugby player. His passion for horses began in Scotland, he rode regularly until he was 83, and he never lost the joy of spotting horses while on drives through the countryside. He and his horse Kit, competed many times in the MSA 50-mile endurance ride, and he volunteered regularly as a veterinarian and jump judge for equine events and with therapeutic riding. Even on his 90th birthday, he never missed a pass playing touch rugby with his family and he was delighted to ride a special horse named Seven. Kind, witty, and ever helpful, our father was much loved and will be greatly missed. Hugh was predeceased by his parents; his three sisters (Mado, Mary, and Michele); and his wife (Evelyn). He is survived by his three children Wendy (Mark), Neil, and Brenda (Joakim); his two grandchildren Lliam and Kaley (Travis); and nieces and nephews in Canada, France, and Germany. Genuine appreciation is extended to Harrison Landing and Langley Gardens (Empress Suites), and especially to Simpson Manor for the love and care given our parents in their final home. A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, April 23, at 1:00 pm at the Fort Langley Lions Seniors Hall.