Obituary for Philip Allan Goertz
Philip Allan Goertz
September 28, 1947 - November 20, 2023
Philip Goertz of Calgary, passed away at SkyPointe Hospice on Monday, November 20, 2023 at the age of 76 years.
He will be missed and lovingly remembered by his children, Derrick (Laura) Goertz of Williams Lake, BC, Scott Goertz of Williams Lake, BC, Erin (Damien) Bareham of Calgary, AB, Erik Goertz of Calgary, AB; grandchildren, Stephanie (Zack), Shea (Tiffany), Marajade, Xander, Athaliah, Endon, Rillian, and Zion; great grandchildren, Mackenzie, Logan, Lily, and Sage; his sister, Ruth (Ray) of Warman, SK; his brothers, Jim (Liz) of Comox, BC and David of Abbotsford, BC; his brother-in-law, Dennis Neufeld, as well as many cousins, nieces, and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Jake and Tiena Goertz, both of Calgary; and his sister, Julie Neufeld of Kamloops, BC, as well as many other family members and friends.
Phil was born on September 28, 1947, in New Westminster, British Columbia to Jake and Tiena Goertz. He was raised in Surrey, British Columbia with his four younger siblings until the age of 19, when he moved to Calgary in search of work. He got a job at Keith’s Construction and Miranda Copper for approximately two years before starting as a Transit Operator for The City of Calgary at the young age of 21 – the youngest employee to be hired at that time. Phil enjoyed his career with Calgary Transit that spanned over 43 years and had many accomplishments to be proud of, including multiple years of safe driving awards. Phil’s favorite bus route was the route 3 – running all the way from the Sandstone Loop in the NW, to Fish Creek Park in the far SW of the city. He loved meeting people from all walks of life and became lifelong friends with many of his passengers. Phil was forced to retire early due to suffering a stroke, however, he proudly retired with badge #3, the third highest rank within the Calgary Transit.
Phil enjoyed the outdoors, and in his younger years he enjoyed sheep hunting, camping, and hiking all over the Kananaskis and various parts of Alberta. Phil was also an incredible artist and loved drawing with pencil and ink. His favorite subjects to draw were trains and various wildlife including Big Horn Sheep and Golden Eagles. Many family members and friends have been the recipients of Phil’s drawings over the years. When Phil was growing up, he wanted to be a pilot. Sadly, that dream was never realized, but he maintained his interest in various airplanes and enjoyed attending airshows during the summer months and watching airplanes land and take off at the airport lookout. Phil enjoyed flying remote control airplanes that he had designed and built himself.
Music was also a big part of Phil’s life; there wasn’t a Saturday morning where you wouldn’t find him up early, drinking an Amaretto coffee, and listening to his favorite classic rock artists such as Pink Floyd, Rolling Stones, Led Zepplin, and Queen.
Although Phil will be greatly missed by many family and friends, he expressed his faith in Jesus near the end of his life, and was confident he would be with the Lord when he passed; and so we do not mourn with those without hope, but instead we rejoice in the knowledge that we will see him again one day.
The family would like to thank the staff at the Peter Lougheed Centre and SkyPointe Hospice for their excellent care and honor of Phil while he was with them, as well as the staff at Choice Memorial Cremation and Funeral Services.
A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, December 9, 2023, at 3:00 pm at First Love Church, Formerly Jubilee Christian Centre (458 35 Ave NW, Calgary, AB T2K 0C1). Tea, coffee, and snacks will be served at the church following the Service.
To view and share photos, condolences and memories of Phil with the family, please visit www.choicememorial.com.
September 28, 1947 - November 20, 2023
Philip Goertz of Calgary, passed away at SkyPointe Hospice on Monday, November 20, 2023 at the age of 76 years.
He will be missed and lovingly remembered by his children, Derrick (Laura) Goertz of Williams Lake, BC, Scott Goertz of Williams Lake, BC, Erin (Damien) Bareham of Calgary, AB, Erik Goertz of Calgary, AB; grandchildren, Stephanie (Zack), Shea (Tiffany), Marajade, Xander, Athaliah, Endon, Rillian, and Zion; great grandchildren, Mackenzie, Logan, Lily, and Sage; his sister, Ruth (Ray) of Warman, SK; his brothers, Jim (Liz) of Comox, BC and David of Abbotsford, BC; his brother-in-law, Dennis Neufeld, as well as many cousins, nieces, and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Jake and Tiena Goertz, both of Calgary; and his sister, Julie Neufeld of Kamloops, BC, as well as many other family members and friends.
Phil was born on September 28, 1947, in New Westminster, British Columbia to Jake and Tiena Goertz. He was raised in Surrey, British Columbia with his four younger siblings until the age of 19, when he moved to Calgary in search of work. He got a job at Keith’s Construction and Miranda Copper for approximately two years before starting as a Transit Operator for The City of Calgary at the young age of 21 – the youngest employee to be hired at that time. Phil enjoyed his career with Calgary Transit that spanned over 43 years and had many accomplishments to be proud of, including multiple years of safe driving awards. Phil’s favorite bus route was the route 3 – running all the way from the Sandstone Loop in the NW, to Fish Creek Park in the far SW of the city. He loved meeting people from all walks of life and became lifelong friends with many of his passengers. Phil was forced to retire early due to suffering a stroke, however, he proudly retired with badge #3, the third highest rank within the Calgary Transit.
Phil enjoyed the outdoors, and in his younger years he enjoyed sheep hunting, camping, and hiking all over the Kananaskis and various parts of Alberta. Phil was also an incredible artist and loved drawing with pencil and ink. His favorite subjects to draw were trains and various wildlife including Big Horn Sheep and Golden Eagles. Many family members and friends have been the recipients of Phil’s drawings over the years. When Phil was growing up, he wanted to be a pilot. Sadly, that dream was never realized, but he maintained his interest in various airplanes and enjoyed attending airshows during the summer months and watching airplanes land and take off at the airport lookout. Phil enjoyed flying remote control airplanes that he had designed and built himself.
Music was also a big part of Phil’s life; there wasn’t a Saturday morning where you wouldn’t find him up early, drinking an Amaretto coffee, and listening to his favorite classic rock artists such as Pink Floyd, Rolling Stones, Led Zepplin, and Queen.
Although Phil will be greatly missed by many family and friends, he expressed his faith in Jesus near the end of his life, and was confident he would be with the Lord when he passed; and so we do not mourn with those without hope, but instead we rejoice in the knowledge that we will see him again one day.
The family would like to thank the staff at the Peter Lougheed Centre and SkyPointe Hospice for their excellent care and honor of Phil while he was with them, as well as the staff at Choice Memorial Cremation and Funeral Services.
A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, December 9, 2023, at 3:00 pm at First Love Church, Formerly Jubilee Christian Centre (458 35 Ave NW, Calgary, AB T2K 0C1). Tea, coffee, and snacks will be served at the church following the Service.
To view and share photos, condolences and memories of Phil with the family, please visit www.choicememorial.com.