Obituary for Philip Charles "Phil" Lichtenberger
“One Day at a Time”
Having lived his life “one day at a time” with the utmost grace, love and integrity, Phil passed away peacefully at home in Burlington, Ontario surrounded by his adoring family. After a long journey with Lewy Body Dementia, Phil is now free from this devastating disease and he is our Guardian Angel. Dearest and most loving husband to Colleen (née Heffernan) for 49 years.
Phil was predeceased by his parents Charles and Gladys, and by his sister Donna (Harvey) Haller. He is survived by his siblings John (Linda) and Bill (Sue) and admired by his many nieces, nephews and extended Heffernan family.
He left this world as a proud dad to his three daughters who were his “diamonds”, Heather (Rob) Frederick, Catherine (Scott) Ewert and Carolyn (Matt) Brown. Phil wanted nothing more than to provide every opportunity to his children. He was our guiding light and soft place to fall through all of life’s highs and lows. He shared special relationships with his three sons-in-law and he loved them deeply; they were his sons. Humble, sweet and gentle in every way, he touched the lives of everyone he met and will always be remembered this way.
Phil cherished his grandchildren and despite the challenges of his disease, he has had a profound and loving impact on their lives. Whenever they came for a visit, his face would light up with pure joy. He leaves behind 7 grandchildren - Sarah, Emma, Bradley, Daniel, Sean, Aubree and Philip.
Growing up on a hobby farm in rural Burlington, Phil loved his horse Jim and would reminisce about all of their adventures together from the young age of 9. He played hockey on the local ponds, was a talented baseball player for Lowville and loved a great game of squash. He treasured all of the years he spent making memories with his family at their cottage on Tooke Lake in Baysville, where he will always be remembered at “Lichtenberger Look Out”. Phil graduated from the University of Guelph with a Bachelor of Science (1970) and went on to complete his Masters of Science (1971) and eventually earned his Doctorate of Physics from the University of Waterloo (1975).
As a Physicist, he spent 25 years working for Research and Development at Ontario Power Generation (Kinectrics). Phil was well respected by all of his colleagues and led by example. He had a fiercely strong work ethic and dedication to everything he did; truly caring for all those he met and worked with.
Following his retirement, Phil had more time to enjoy one of his greatest passions in life, music. He played the tuba with the Burlington and Hamilton Concert Bands where his family and friends loved to watch his concert performances. Phil and Colleen also enjoyed some very special trips together and gave of their time and endless love to helping their daughters build careers and raise families of their own. He showed us the beauty in everything, and was our world. Phil lives on through his wife and daughters who will carry his heart on earth.
Our most sincere thanks to Dr. Tom Durcan, Dr. Anne Braun, Dr. Amber Jackman, RN Stacey Longmuir, Jerry Tsia of Qualicare Burlington and his team of PSWs Cleo, Tenzin, Linda, Indergeet and especially Teg who has cared for Phil for many years now and could not have loved him more. We are also grateful for the compassionate care of the Palliative Care Nurses from Saint Elizabeth’s who showed tremendous kindness in his final days at home.
Cremation has taken place followed by a private celebration of Phil’s life presided over by Father Ranjan D’Sa. We also thank Father D’Sa for his special blessing and visit to Phil at home. Interment at Holy Sepulchre Catholic Cemetery, 600 Spring Gardens Rd, Burlington. If desired, memorial contributions to the Alzheimer Society of Canada, Dementia Research or to the SickKids Foundation would be appreciated.
Having lived his life “one day at a time” with the utmost grace, love and integrity, Phil passed away peacefully at home in Burlington, Ontario surrounded by his adoring family. After a long journey with Lewy Body Dementia, Phil is now free from this devastating disease and he is our Guardian Angel. Dearest and most loving husband to Colleen (née Heffernan) for 49 years.
Phil was predeceased by his parents Charles and Gladys, and by his sister Donna (Harvey) Haller. He is survived by his siblings John (Linda) and Bill (Sue) and admired by his many nieces, nephews and extended Heffernan family.
He left this world as a proud dad to his three daughters who were his “diamonds”, Heather (Rob) Frederick, Catherine (Scott) Ewert and Carolyn (Matt) Brown. Phil wanted nothing more than to provide every opportunity to his children. He was our guiding light and soft place to fall through all of life’s highs and lows. He shared special relationships with his three sons-in-law and he loved them deeply; they were his sons. Humble, sweet and gentle in every way, he touched the lives of everyone he met and will always be remembered this way.
Phil cherished his grandchildren and despite the challenges of his disease, he has had a profound and loving impact on their lives. Whenever they came for a visit, his face would light up with pure joy. He leaves behind 7 grandchildren - Sarah, Emma, Bradley, Daniel, Sean, Aubree and Philip.
Growing up on a hobby farm in rural Burlington, Phil loved his horse Jim and would reminisce about all of their adventures together from the young age of 9. He played hockey on the local ponds, was a talented baseball player for Lowville and loved a great game of squash. He treasured all of the years he spent making memories with his family at their cottage on Tooke Lake in Baysville, where he will always be remembered at “Lichtenberger Look Out”. Phil graduated from the University of Guelph with a Bachelor of Science (1970) and went on to complete his Masters of Science (1971) and eventually earned his Doctorate of Physics from the University of Waterloo (1975).
As a Physicist, he spent 25 years working for Research and Development at Ontario Power Generation (Kinectrics). Phil was well respected by all of his colleagues and led by example. He had a fiercely strong work ethic and dedication to everything he did; truly caring for all those he met and worked with.
Following his retirement, Phil had more time to enjoy one of his greatest passions in life, music. He played the tuba with the Burlington and Hamilton Concert Bands where his family and friends loved to watch his concert performances. Phil and Colleen also enjoyed some very special trips together and gave of their time and endless love to helping their daughters build careers and raise families of their own. He showed us the beauty in everything, and was our world. Phil lives on through his wife and daughters who will carry his heart on earth.
Our most sincere thanks to Dr. Tom Durcan, Dr. Anne Braun, Dr. Amber Jackman, RN Stacey Longmuir, Jerry Tsia of Qualicare Burlington and his team of PSWs Cleo, Tenzin, Linda, Indergeet and especially Teg who has cared for Phil for many years now and could not have loved him more. We are also grateful for the compassionate care of the Palliative Care Nurses from Saint Elizabeth’s who showed tremendous kindness in his final days at home.
Cremation has taken place followed by a private celebration of Phil’s life presided over by Father Ranjan D’Sa. We also thank Father D’Sa for his special blessing and visit to Phil at home. Interment at Holy Sepulchre Catholic Cemetery, 600 Spring Gardens Rd, Burlington. If desired, memorial contributions to the Alzheimer Society of Canada, Dementia Research or to the SickKids Foundation would be appreciated.