Philip Harold Gater

“No need for words except to say, loved and remembered every day.”

Phil passed away in the care of Leighton Hospital on the 16th March, aged 92 years.

He will be sadly missed but lovingly remembered by all who knew him.

A service to celebrate Phil’s life will be held at the Crematorium Chapel, Crewe on Tuesday 30th March, followed by cremation.

For any further information please contact our funeral home on 01270 584447.

 

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Each of us here today are on life’s journey, and each of us will have a different path to walk. We are
all at a different stage on our journey but as adults we all understand that that path will end one
day, and we will take the final step into whatever there is to follow our time on earth.

Philip has now taken that final step and is at rest. There is no need to worry about him or feel regret,
now is a time to remember his life and drink a toast to all his achievements, his successes and how
he enriched the lives of those he touched.

Born on 28th March 1928 in Newcastle under Lyme he was the eldest of three boys born to his
parents Vera and Harold. His brother Keith predeceased him, leaving younger brother David now to
carry the family memories forward.

Philip always had an adventurous spirit and after leaving school he realised that life at home didn’t
offer him the challenges he desired so he joined the Army. After a short time with the Tank
Regiment, he commuted his service to the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) and
served with them for 25 years, working his way to the rank of Warrant Officer First Class. He had
postings in Malta, Hong Kong and Germany.

When he retired from the forces, he had no difficulty in finding gainful employment working for
Mercedes and Volkswagen and as an instructor in mechanical engineering for the Government Skills
Centres.

Philip was married to Marjorie and they embraced the service life together, after retiring they
moved to Southern Spain and put down roots in Torrevieja on the Costa Blanca.
There was a growing ex pat community in the area and life was busy and fulfilling. Sadly, Marjorie
was taken ill and passed away, this was a dark time for Philip, but he rallied and threw himself back
into life with the help and support of his friends.

Over time he married Audrey and after 10 years in the Spanish sunshine Philip and Audrey returned
to the UK. Audrey passed away four years ago, and Philip moved into Pickmere Court where he lived
independently but safe in the knowledge that additional help was available if required. As his health
became more challenging, he moved into the Elms before finally taking up residence at Bentley
Manor Care Home in Crewe.

They do say that “old soldiers never die they just fade away” and there is some truth in that
narrative. Philip always held on to the values by which he had lived his life across the years – he had
standards of dress and appearance which were very important to him, he believed in loyalty,
honesty and integrity, he believed that there was a right way to achieve anything and that was
usually “his way or the highway”. He stood firmly by his principals, his morals and ethical beliefs to
the last, he was rarely for turning once he had made up his mind about something.