Mark Phillips Obituary, Death – The world has become a little less friendly since the death of Mark Gordon “Philly” Phillips, 53, on Friday, January 13th. Mark Phillips was born in Stratford, the third child of Murray and Delores (Bright) Phillips Sr. His siblings, Murray (Monica) Jr. and Karen (Len) Scott, survive him. Mark Borman married Brandi Borman in 2016, with whom he lived an exceptional love and life. His children, Natalie (Lodewyk) Koert and Chris “Chrispy” Phillips, he cherished and was very proud of. He became a doting first-time G-pa to the apple of his eye, Nora Belle Koert, in 2021. Mark was blessed with the love of numerous nieces. Jessica (Brandon) Palmer, Jenna (Matt) Johns, Jordan (Sean) Craig, and Jamika Scott are her blood nieces.
aige and Jorja Borman are married nieces, while Addyson and Rylee Ignor are heart nieces (Marty and Patty). Mark was Dempsey and Sharon (Bright) Smith Srnephew. .’s Mark is also survived by Jim and Jackie Borman, Tash and Matt Vernhout, and Dave and Diane Borman, his wife’s cousins. Eleanor (Brouwers) Phillips, the mother of his children, and the entire Brouwers family will miss him. Mark began working at his father’s store, Sew and Save Centre, in 1992 and assisted in its expansion for the next 30 years. He was a well-known Janome and Handi-quilter retailer who had received numerous top Canadian Dealer Awards throughout the years. He was well-known throughout Canada as a sewing machine technician.
Mike Palmateer and his adopted cousin, Curtis Joseph, inspired Mark, a lifetime Leafs fan, to become a goaltender. He remembers fondly his time with the Mitchell Hawks and the now-defunct Stratford Culliton Rotary Hockey clubs. He went on to train others, including Chrispy, in the game he loved after retiring as a glove and blocker. It wouldn’t be surprising to hear “Philly, is that you?” from a former player who grew up in Stratford during Mark and Brandi’s vacation. Philly has also been spotted on the baseball field and the volleyball court over the years. He had a large circle of friends and could be counted on to say hello, say something nice, or laugh everywhere he went.
Mark’s cancer journey began in 2012, although treatment was not necessary until 2019. He was fortunate to be able to receive treatment at Stratford General Hospital. As such, he would appreciate it if you could donate to the Stratford General Hospital Foundation’s In Our Hands Campaign for chemotherapy refurbishing at https://sghfoundation.org/In-Our-Hands.htm or contact Brandi, Chris, or Natalie at the Team Philly site to offer your condolences. Mark’s memorial ceremony will be held on Thursday, January 19th from 2-4pm and 6-8pm at the Queen’s Inn, 161 Ontario St., Stratford.