Obituary of Phillip Zelman Woolf

July 23, 1939 – Melbourne, Australia

March 8, 2024 – Calgary, Alberta

Phil Woolf of Calgary, AB, passed away on Friday, March 8, 2024, at the age of 84 years.

Even at 84 years, it seems too soon. Kat Dancer had the privilege of caring for her good friend Phil as his dementia closed in and prevented him from living independently as he had his entire life.

Four years later, Kat is so grateful that she had this opportunity to spend with her friend, to be his support and entertainment in an otherwise largely grim existence. Over the past couple of years she tried to visit at least twice a week, often more, bringing small treats and tokens, some of which were brutally dismissed by the voice of dementia, but most were eagerly accepted.

He was so loving and happy to see Kat and his other close friend, Juliet. Phil never failed to recognize who they were despite struggling to connect the dots with others or remember outside the current moment. They had so many hilarious conversations harking back to comedy and songs shared from decades past, from England, and Phil's homeland of Australia. He never stopped talking about Oz, and his family there, despite the fact he left in his early twenties.

Over the years, Phil travelled the world, always independent, making many friends and having many adventures. This included volunteering at the Calgary Folk Festival, schmoozing backstage with Ella Fitzgerald, seeing his idols Frank Sinatra and Louis Armstrong perform, strutting his stuff with the band and a Singapore Sling in Singapore’s famous Long Bar, cuddling tigers in Thailand and turtles in Australia, sailing in Belize, and making friends everywhere. Last but not least, Phil hiked the Peruvian Inca Trail, culminating in a visit to the magical ancient city of Machu Picchu, just shy of his 74^th birthday.

Phil's journey through this life ended at the Rockyview General Hospital in Calgary with Kat and Juliet at his bedside, keeping him company, soothing his soul as he went through delirium and fever, undignified times and undoubted pain, before finally cradling him to a state of calm and comfort. They spent every possible waking minute with Phil, talking to him and playing music that he loved in endless rotation. Seeing the magic of his beloved music penetrate even the drug-induced lethargy and the wild delirium of dementia and imminent death was a balm for the soul. He rallied for a day, sharing smiles, hugs and kisses, speaking a few words of love that ring in the heart and will stay with us hopefully until the day we find our way across the ether to the biggest, riotous party in which he now dances and sings.

We hope all our passings are as peaceful and magical as we believe we were able to finally make it for Phil.

Phil is survived by his close friends, Kat and Juliet of Calgary, AB; and his brother Robert Woolf of Melbourne, Australia. He was predeceased by his sister Isobel.

Thank you to the Rockyview General Hospital for helping create ease in his last week, and to the staff of Manor Village for providing a safe home in his last years.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Phil’s family here.

In living memory of Phillip Woolf, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road SE, Calgary, Ab t2x 3j3, Telephone: 403-256-9575.