Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Philip Maurice Gargan was born to his parents Celine and Charles Gargan, March 1, 1943. Phillip was born during a time when his parents lived at Redknife, but his birth certificate his place of birth as being Fort Providence. It is therefore unclear as to whether he was born at Redknife or in Fort Providence.
Phillip grew up at Jean Marie River, and it was there he was sent to residential school in Fort Providence. When Jean Marie River Federal Day School opened in the early 1950s, he returned home to attend school there. To finish his schooling, he went to Akaitcho Hall in Yellowknife.
After attending school in Yellowknife, he attended NAIT and became a certified carpenter. He worked as a carpenter in many northern communities, including Cambridge Bay, Norman Wells, and a number of places in the Yukon. He worked for the Government of the Northwest Territories for 27 years before retiring on March 28, 2009, in Fort Simpson.
It was while he was in school, he met his wife, Helen Sikyea, who he married a few years later on December 19, 1964. Together they had two daughters, Diane and Sandra, and lost an infant son named Michael. As well, he had son Ralph and a daughter Celine from two separate relationships after his marriage to Helen ended.
Many of us who knew Phillip will remember him as a person who liked to laugh and joke with people. Family members and friends had fond memories of him as being a kind and loving person who helped people in whatever way he could. Many community members will remember him for his kindness during their time of grief. Today, many of the crosses we see in the gravesites of our loved ones were made by him. This is something he did for the community while he was a foreman at the carpentry shop. Andy Norwegian remembered, when he worked for the government, when something required fixing, they would call Phil, and he would soon show up to assess the situation and make repairs. It is for that reason people called him Dr. Phil. The saying was, "If it was broken, Dr. Phil will fix it."
Family members will also remember him as a man who liked to laugh and joke around with people. Phillip was a loved great grandfather, grandfather, father, stepdad, an uncle, and a brother. He will be dearly missed. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.