Obituary of Curtis John Phillips

On Thursday, October 17, 2024, Curtis “Curt” John Phillips of Regina, SK passed away peacefully in his sleep, with family by his side, after a battle with cancer.  He was 63. Curt was predeceased by his parents, Russ (2004) and Dorothy (2012), both of Regina. He is survived by his sister Marianne of Regina, SK; sister Wendy of Ankara, Turkey; and numerous cousins and friends.

Curt was a private man who kept a small circle of close friends, but he was liked and loved by all who came to know him. He had a mind for numbers, and he was always happiest when he was at work compiling long lists of CFL and NHL statistics. Several of his books of statistics were published. Even in the final weeks of his life, he was seen working on a new book of hockey statistics, and a project devoted to his favourite player, Mario Lemieux.

Curt ran the New York City Marathon one year, and he was an avid long-distance cyclist. He rode everywhere in the city on his bike, and neighbours recall seeing him arrive home from his weekly shopping, with a backpack full of groceries and two or more bags slung over the handlebars too.

Curt was a retired member of the Canadian Armed Forces and completed a 30-year career with the Corps of Commissionaires, South Saskatchewan. He retired from the Corps this past summer.

Many thanks to the staff of ward 5D and the Palliative Care unit at Pasqua Hospital, and especially to the wonderful staff of the hospice wing of Wascana Rehabilitation Centre, who cared for Curt in the final months of his life.

At Curt’s request, there will be no formal service, but a Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Those wishing to do so may make donations in Curt’s memory to the Canadian Cancer Society, or to the Mario Lemieux Foundation in Pittsburgh, PA, USA.