Phillip Sidney Herring, passed away peacefully June 8, 2007, at Burnaby Hospital at the age of 87.
Born in Castor, AB his early life was typical of prairie hardships - traveling across open flatlands by horse to attend the one-room Netherby School during the harsh and dusty depression. At age 17 he graduated from Hanna High School and moved to the west coast to attend UBC. At the train platform, he asked his father what he should study, and the reply was simply, "engineering". World War II interrupted Phillip's engineering studies. He enlisted in 1939, serving as Lieutenant with 6th Field Company, Royal Canadian Engineers, in North Africa and Italy. As a Reconnaissance Officer he was one of the first Canadians to enter the town of Ortona, Italy in December 1943.
After the war Phillip graduated from UBC in Civil Engineering (1947). His career in municipal engineering began in Ocean Falls, BC. In 1952 he moved to Kamloops to become their City Engineer. Five years later, he moved to Burnaby where he settled down to raise his growing family. He retired in 1984, after 28 years as Assistant City Engineer for Vancouver.
A celebration of Phillip's life was held at West Burnaby United Church, 6050 Sussex Avenue, Burnaby BC, on 15 June. Donations can be made to the Last Post Fund BC Branch, Surrey, BC (604) 572-3242.