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PHILIP GUY VENESS
Born: May 08, 1951
Date of Passing: Nov 14, 2024
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryPHILIP GUY VENESS
It is with broken hearts that we announce the passing of Philip Guy Veness at the Health Sciences Centre on November 14, 2024. He leaves behind his partner Linda Ritchie; his five daughters, Allison, Ainsley, Tanya (Jeff), Amanda, and Amber; three brothers, Ken, Glen, and Alan; two sisters, Cori and Nancy; and numerous nieces, nephews, in-laws, cousins, and friends. He was predeceased by his parents, Roy and Margaret; and his brother Doug.
Phil was born May 8, 1951, in Kingston, Ontario, the second of seven children. The woods behind his home inspired his lifelong love of nature. He moved to Winnipeg with his family as a teen, and soon his passion for art of all kinds was sparked upon being introduced to the music of Bob Dylan, the paintings of Vermeer, and his beloved high school poetry textbook which (he would admit sheepishly) he stole and later read from to his children.
He majored in Psychology at the University of Winnipeg. He began his career as a Behaviour Specialist in Brandon before accepting a position as a Disability Services Worker in Selkirk, where he worked for 38 years helping children with disabilities and their families. He had incredible empathy for the families he helped even before two of his own daughters were diagnosed with autism. Phil’s dedication to his clients (and distaste for bureaucracy) was legendary. He also taught occasional evening classes at Red River College - he was a gifted teacher.
Despite his hectic schedule, he still made time for his children every day and gave us unconditional love and acceptance. We remember wonderful weekends and evenings of dad taking us swimming, skating, and searching for owls, and then reading us poetry, telling us stories and singing to us before bed. He advocated for his two daughters with autism. He was our rock. After his children grew up, he remained a constant, wise and encouraging presence in all our lives.
Phil always had an incredible amount of energy and was unable to stay still even after his retirement and being diagnosed with aplastic anaemia in 2020. He managed to beat the illness into near-remission twice and continued to dedicate himself to helping others. Even before his retirement he served as President of the Autism Society of Manitoba for several years (earning the nickname “Mr. Autism”), volunteered at the Folk Festival with his partner Linda, and emceed music nights at St. Amant Centre.
In the last few years, he worked as a lunch cook and founded a book club at Good Neighbours Active Living, guided tours at Dalnavert Museum (where he delighted in finding period costumes to wear), visited seniors at Misericordia, and taught English to newcomers to Canada. Phil was larger than life and it is impossible to summarize who he was and what he meant to us in a few paragraphs. He himself loved to quote Walt Whitman: “Do I contradict myself? Very well then, I contradict myself, I am large, I contain multitudes.” He would not want to be portrayed as a saint - he was always the first to poke fun at himself, and he loved teasing and being teased. He was open about his struggles with depression and anxiety but was also capable of great joy and enthusiasm. He loved so much about the world - running, fitness, birding, especially his beloved warblers, art, poetry, science, theatre, music of all kinds, travel, and reading. He was opinionated yet humble, open-minded and curious, unsentimental yet compassionate, a sensitive soul yet a deeply critical thinker who always, always strove to do what was right.
As one of his favourite singers, Leonard Cohen, wrote, “there is a crack in everything, that’s how the light gets in”. May Phil’s light continue to shine on all those lucky enough to have known and loved him.
The family thanks Dr. David Szwajcer and the team at CancerCare Manitoba. Phil often expressed his deep gratitude for the care he was provided. Thank you also to blood donors for the gift of more time. A Celebration of Life will be held in the New Year.
The family expresses gratitude to Ethical Death Care for their touching photo-biography honouring Phil’s life, accessible through the 'tributes' link at the bottom of this obituary.
May the longtime sunshine
Always surround you,
And the clear light within you
Guide your way home.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 23, 2024, Nov 23, 2024
Condolences & Memories (8 entries)
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Please accept my deepest condolences and prayers for peace on the passing of Philip. I only have known Philip from the onset of my joining the monthly zoom western Canada AAMAC sessions when I joined the group in late 2023 I was appreciative from day 1 of his always calm welcoming and gentle helpful caring manner that he provided me and everyone else in the group sessions. I'm extremely thankful for the wise balanced compassion he always so readily and kindly offered . May he rest in peace. - Posted by: Ken yanko (Aamac zoom group membet) on: Apr 23, 2025
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Deepest Condolences to the family. It was a true pleasure to work/consult with Phil over the years. He was knowledgable, kind, honest, supportive and always had a good story to share. I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to learn from him. A one in a million kind of man always advocating and supporting others. - Posted by: Gina Doyle (Teacher Lord Selkirk School Division) on: Feb 05, 2025
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I met Phil in my role as Family Services Worker to his family... But our relationship went far beyond this and we became close friends. We shared long distance running, competitions and training. I recall one Sunday after noon when we completed a 12 km run via East Kild, Elmwood, West Kild and North Kild. He was committed competitor... Additionally he joined me in several wilderness canoe trips and hikes with his wife Linda... Many good memories of sharing time with Phil, be it a drink at the bar, group get togethers, with old friends and staff, and excellent dinners put together by Phil and Linda.. and so much more.. Will wish you well on your new adventures Phil, we will not forget. - Posted by: Harold McDonald (Friends) on: Nov 26, 2024
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Extending our heartfelt sympathy to Linda, Ritchie and the Veness family on the sad passing of Philip Veness. Thank you for sharing this wonderful tribute of an exceptional life dedicated to service. Sorry for your loss Lynda Ruban staff and friends at the HSC Foundation. - Posted by: Lynda Ruban (staff at the HSC Foundation) on: Nov 25, 2024
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I worked with Phil over the years. He was an incredible advocate. So sad that he is gone. - Posted by: Joyce (Colleague ) on: Nov 24, 2024
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Dear Linda and family. My deepest sympathy to all of you. Phil definitely was a force in nature in his life’s work and concern for others. He was interested in life in almost every dimension and had the energy to keep up with the activity of at least 5 people. I always appreciated consulting with him regarding many aspects of advocacy not only for Amber but for so many others. Our work crossed paths very frequently allowing us to respect each other both professionally and socially. He will surely be missed. My thoughts are with all of you. Warmly, Charlotte Livingston. - Posted by: Charlotte Livingston (Teacher of Amber and co advocates) on: Nov 23, 2024
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My condolences to his family for their loss. Phil will be remembered by us as a caring, devoted Special Services worker who always took the time to get to know his clients on an individual basis, supported families, and was so involved in helping parents of autistic children on our journeys. He had a one-of-a-kind personality with a huge heart and we were grateful for having known him. - Posted by: Carol (Acquaintance ) on: Nov 23, 2024
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My deepest condolences to the family! Phil was the leader of our book club! So passionate about literature. His excitement and enthusiasm for his favorite authors was fun to watch. He will be missed! What a beautiful description of his life story! - Posted by: Maryann (Book club member) on: Nov 23, 2024
