Phillip Spring

With breaking hearts we announce the passing of Phillip Alan Patrick Spring of Abbotsford, BC on June 16th, 2026. His partner, Elly, son Phil jr, and daughter Nora were with him at the time of his very peaceful transition to go meet the rest of his family in heaven.

Phillip, often identified as paps, because of his initials or lovingly called pops, was born in Rossland, BC to Frank Spring and Leona Spring ( Nimsick) as the last boy to complete their family of 9. Phillip had 4 Spring brothers, Frank, Thomas, Bernie and Terry and two sisters, Anne Marie Collier and Marjorie MacDonald. It gave his kids a giggle that the day he was born, he was already an uncle as his oldest brother had already had a son, Frank junior. The men in this family kept to the tradition of naming their oldest child after the father, so we have several generations of juniors.

The Spring family settled in Cranbrook BC for many years, some Springs still live there and that became an important hometown, where Phil grew up, played hockey and married the mother of his children, Linda lou MacDonald. They had a few heartbreaking attempts to have children and their son Darryl lived 7 days and is resting in the Cranbrook cemetery. Phil was very much a family man and was thrilled to welcome his three children, Nora Ellen Begoray, Philip Michael Spring, and Aaron Paul Spring. His wife was always grateful that he was a father that changed diapers, not the standard at the time but he was a very involved father. Phillip, his parents and several of his brothers and sisters transitioned their young families to the lower mainland. Phil had a few jobs like driving taxi before settling into his career as a Locomotive Engineer starting in Cranbrook then transferring to Port Coquitlam. Phil raised his young children primarily in Maple Ridge and Port Coquitlam area, much of it as a single dad which was unusual at the time. On the railroad, he was known as ‘Flying Phil’ who always got his train to its destination and on time. He is responsible for encouraging many of his extended family to join the railroad, which he felt was a good gig, especially the retiring at age 55 part. Phil was an athlete and encouraged his kids to try many sports, but no-one can deny that the Spring family were very enthusiastic about hockey, and spent many hours in hockey arena’s of their kids and even their nieces and nephews. Even after retiring from CP Rail, Phil went on to work for CP Rail and BC rail, where his daughter Nora was already working. The railroad was a love of his, as was his family and sports. Phil was an avid golfer, he taught his children to golf during the many years camping at Thousand Trails in Cultus BC. He loved dancing and was often the life of the party at family gatherings and at the dances with the Legion and the Fraternal Order of the Eagles where he was a long-time member. In his senior years, he was a provincial champion bowler, a golfer with Hybernia group, and always kept active with swimming in his condominium complex. Phil was someone who got involved in life, he took roles as a union representative and did a stint on the board of his condominium board. He lived life to the fullest, and once medical issues began to impact his ability to travel with the love of his life, Elizabeth Smeysters, and golf with his daughter, sons, nephews and step sons, his life became more of a struggle. We are so grateful this struggle was relatively short and he died peacefully without pain or prolonged suffering. That was his wish, and his brave choice to face his final days head on.

Phillip Alan Patrick Spring is survived by Elizabeth, Nora, Phillip and Kim Spring and his son Aaron and their families. His step sons, John, and Eric Smeyster, their spouses and families, step daughter Anja and family and the many nieces and nephews of the Spring clan. :) As the youngest of his family, he is pre-deceased by his parents, brothers and sisters and we are feeling the end of a generation.

Please join us to honour his life.

Friday, July 17th at 1pm

Funeral Service St James Catholic Church,

2777 Townline Road, Abbotsford, BC

Reception following the service at the event room

Evergreen Village 31955 Old Yale Road.2:30 pm

The interment of his ashes will be Saturday, July 18th at 2pm at Mt. Lehman cemetery address 29745 Taylor Road Abbotsford. BC