Phillip C. MacPhee

It is with profound sadness, but also with an appreciation for a life well lived, that the children of Phillip Claire MacPhee announce his peaceful passing at Rocmaura Nursing Home, Saint John, NB, on May 24, 2026 with many of his children and grandchildren by his side.

Born at MacPhee’s Corner, Hants Co., Nova Scotia, he was the son of the late Clarence & Ella (Parker) MacPhee.

Dad was a teacher for many years, having taken his first teaching position at the high school in Plaster Rock, NB as a shop teacher.  If he wasn’t travelling to Fredericton during the summer months to further his education, he would take a local job to help support his family.  Together, Dad and Mom both worked extremely hard to raise their five children, including having a bountiful garden.  He worked for Atlas Construction one summer while building the bridge in Plaster Rock across the Tobique River, and although he started as a labourer, his skills were quickly recognized and he was promoted to a supervisor within a very short time.  He sharpened skates in his garage during the winter, and a whole host of other small jobs to supplement his income.  He never sat idle for long.  The family (with just Melanie & Kevin still at home) eventually moved to St. Stephen, NB where he was a shop teacher at St. Stephen High School for a number of years and in that time bought the White Swan Motel, which was kept in immaculate condition both inside and outside, with Dad’s knowledge of just about anything (and maybe sometimes having to figure things out, which he always did) and Mom’s meticulous cleaning habits.  A lot of customers came back year after year because of this.

He also made time to hunt and fish, which he thoroughly enjoyed with his brother Reg, as well as some of his children (and in fiddlehead season, always making sure the freezer was full for a winter treat). They travelled to some of the best salmon holes the province had to offer (and although Dad couldn’t swim, when we expressed concern the answer was always “I can run fast on the bottom”).  He spent lots of time on the Tobique River near his home in Plaster Rock, where he built a family cottage on the river.  It is still there today with the magnificent huge rock fireplace/chimney that was built by him after collecting river rock for material.  He also put his thinking cap on when he wanted a canoe but wanted a hybrid of two different ones, so he set about to make his own, which included building the mold, and a steamer to curve the hull and gunwales.  Eventually he went on to build two more for family members.  He just needed to hear that someone needed a new deck or a doorstep, or even a house or cottage, and he was always right there to help as much as he could, whether it was local (which included helping his children build/renovate at least four houses and many cottages) in a variety of places such as on the Tobique, Quispamsis, Sussex, St. Stephen, Hampton, and as far away as Labrador City.  In his “down time” he would be off to Petitcodiac, where a lot of his siblings and extended family lived, to help with any project that was on the go.  When he moved to the Rothesay area he didn’t buy a house, but a piece of land, because he would build the house himself.

He loved to snowmobile, ride his 4-wheeler (& later a SxS), haul his trailer to some remote place to hunt, “play” on his tractor and he spent many hours tinkering in his garage with all his woodworking equipment, making beautiful pieces of furniture, games, etc., or fixing anything that needed a little attention, whether it was his or something someone dropped off.  He also thoroughly enjoyed special trips to Labrador City to fish and hunt and especially one trip when caribou hunting by snowmobile was an adventure he didn’t soon forget.  Whatever he made up his mind to do, it was done with skill and determination, and he passed those attributes on to his children.  He took time to enjoy a bit of golfing and participated in a bowling league as well.

Phil leaves behind his five children: Brian (Cathy) of Grande-Digue (formerly of Lab City) (Kristin,  Kerri); Michael (Susan) of Quispamsis (Angela, Shana, Justin); Marilyn Kennedy (Larry Doherty) of St. Stephen (Tara, Somer); Melanie Curran (Sonny) of St. Stephen (Haley); and Kevin (Lorna) of Hampton (Jessica, Kendra). He also leaves behind numerous great-grandchildren.  We will all miss him dearly.

He is also survived by his siblings, Carole Martin (late Edward); Jeffery (Sandra); and Joyce Holman (late Parker); and many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by the mother of his children, Margaret (Ayer) MacPhee; his siblings, Olive Spacey (late Steve); Cecil (late Dora); Reginald (late Maurietus); and George.

He married Betty Thorne in October, 2020.

Cremation has taken place.  No funeral service or visitation at this time.  A graveside service will be held at a later date at the Oak Bay Cemetery, near St. Stephen, NB.

Phil’s children will be forever grateful and would like to express sincere appreciation to the entire team at Rocmaura Nursing Home, Saint John, NB for treating our father with the utmost care and compassion for the last year and a half.  They truly have exceptional staff there and we never doubted that he was getting anything but the very best care and was treated as if he were family, and as well treating his family the same way when we visited.

For those who wish, donations in Phil’s memory to Rocmaura Nursing Home or a charity of one’s choice would be appreciated by the family.

Condolences may be sent online to www.mehanfuneralhome.ca.