Fondly known as Pottsy to his friends, passed away suddenly on Tuesday, January 2, 2024, at the age of 76. Dale was born at the Grace Hospital in Ottawa on December 26, 1947, to Laurie and Edna Philpotts, who were both from the Maritimes. Dale was an accomplished athlete. His passion for hockey and football continued through school and into his senior years in the old timer hockey leagues in Ontario, Quebec, and Prince Edward Island. His passion for sports did not end there. His two beautiful children, Christopher and Laurie Philpotts, also excelled in sports and Dale became the weekend sports dad following Chris to hockey and Laurie to Basketball. He raised his family near Kemptville, Ontario, before starting his journey towards the ocean. His dream was to live by the sea, as his grandparents, the Browns, did in Mystic, Connecticut. Dale spent many youthful years at the beach, surfing and savouring the salt air. Dale also enjoyed downhill skiing and golfing for 40 years in the Gatineau Hills with dear friends who still remain close and visit us out East. Dale retired from his career at the City of Ottawa as Director of Transportation and Surface Operations in 2000. Dale was respected and adored by his peers. He always took the high road and remained professional, calm, diplomatic and fair in his dealings with people. His early retirement allowed him and his wife of 25 years, Joanne Paquet, to travel the Maritime Provinces in search of their new retirement paradise beach home. They found life in St. Peter’s Harbour, Prince Edward Island, magical and continued to live there year-round. Dale and Joanne enjoyed many years of walking the beach daily with dear old Barkeley. Joanne and Dale embraced winters from 2015 to 2020 in Myrtle Beach, golfing and combing the beaches meeting new lifelong friends. Dale struggled with many health conditions over the last five years that reduced his ability to travel. His daily chores of firewood maintenance and keeping our home warm and safe became his focus. There are so many wonderful memories to cherish here in our little piece of heaven. I feel like his soul will be happy to remain by the sea. Dale was a wonderful father of Christopher (Danielle) Philpotts and Laurie (David) Miller and dear grandfather to Isaac, Abigail, Nora, Benjamin and Lucca. He was a loyal and kind husband. Dale had a quiet self-confident way of keeping life running smoothly for all who knew him. His sense of humour was mischievous as most would know. Dale was a loving brother to Diane Campbell (predeceased), Evan Philpotts (predeceased), and Cathy (Vince) Burrill. He will be sadly missed by his stepson, Spencer Stacey; brothers-in-law, Don Campbell, Richard and Mark Paquet and extended members of the Philpotts, Brown, Chess and Paquet families. We would like to thank the volunteers of our local Morell Fire Department and Island EMS responders, George and Ryan, for their wonderful care and compassion during this very difficult time. It has been wonderful to hear so many amazing messages and kind words these last few days from the community. We are blessed with a community of caring, compassionate neighbours, especially Scott MacEwen, who had become Dale’s “Bestie” every day to enjoy an hour playing time with Kesa and Waverley. Those precious hours over the last almost three years have grown into an extended family that cannot be replaced. Dale, you will be greatly missed in the Harbour. A Celebration of Life will be held in the upper room over the Morell Rink on Sunday, January 14, from 2 to 4 p.m. This will be an opportunity to enjoy some of Dale’s favorite fun food, see his hockey uniform displayed alongside his urn, and to pay your respects. Light refreshments served. All are welcome. Another celebration will be announced for a family event in Ontario later in the spring. If desired, the family would appreciate donations in Dale’s memory to the PEI Cancer Treatment Centre, by mail to Queen Elizabeth Hospital Foundation, PO Box 6600, Charlottetown, PE C1A 8T5, or through their website: qehfoundation.pe.ca. Online condolences may be sent to the family by emailing: [email protected] Joanne
Dale Gordon PHILPOTTS — St. Peter's Harbour
