Phil was my beloved elder son. I adored him. I was so very proud of what he managed to achieve during his relatively short and blighted life. From a young age, he kept himself, and later a family, purely on the proceeds of his art. Phil was not just a gothic artist; he painted the most amazing wildlife pictures and portraits. He was one of the best freehand airbrush artists in the world. He should have been, and could have been, rich and famous. The reason he wasn't was because he made the conscious decision to remain a freelance. He hung no work in galleries, he did not have an agent. His reason was simply that he knew he was ill, and knew that he would not have the stamina for a celebrity lifestyle. He was more than content with the adulation of his peers. He was also a gifted teacher, and took great pleasure in passing on his skills to those willing to learn. When well enough, he toured the country giving demonstrations of his formidable airbrush technique. He had many interests and many friends from all walks of life. Of course, his work suffered in recent years but, despite several very drastic operations (including one to remove his left eye), he remained ever cheerful and optimistic. Phil was a contradiction in terms. A Goth who was highly conservative and deeply religious.
He died in the manner he wished; with his favourite nurses, his beloved wife holding his hand, the vicar saying prayers, and the music of "teenage lobotomy" playing. An irony which only someone of Phil's sense of humour could appreciate.

Phil's brother Mark, penned the following words "May you forever live on in our hearts and minds, and continue to inspire all those whose lives you have touched." I say Amen to that.

My beloved son may you rest in peace at last.

I knew, as soon as I met Phil a few years back on a family holiday in Altinkum, that he was a complete inspiration and talent, not only to me but to anyone who would have the opportunity to meet him. I was delighted when he agreed to draw a portrait for my mum's 60th birthday and I am really happy I will have those memories of Phil for the rest of my life.

I am so sorry Phil I cannot be at your funeral, I would have loved to have been there, as you probably were not aware that I took my bike test last year and you can often see me riding around on my motorbike. I love it and I wish I could have ridden up to pass on my final farewells.

To Alison and Eve and to all of Phil's family and friends, may there be strength in the knowledge that Phil obviously lived a fuller life in his 40 years than most people who live twice as long. The pain and the suffering is now gone and his memory will live on forever. My thoughts are with you all. xx

I never met Phil but I have seen some of his wonderful paintings, but I want to say he was such a caring young man who spoke many times on the phone to my mother with such care and patience and when I tell you my mother is 95years I think you will agree this is quite something for a young man.Phil she will miss you rest in Peace.

Fond memories of a great guy whose strength and courage is an inspiration to us all.

Rest in peace Phil
Angela, Andrew,Lydia and Laura.xx

I met Phil when he first moved to Whitby in 1990, we quickly became friends and I was one of the first members of the Whitby Dracula Society. He was a wonderful guy, a fantastic artist and the best friend anyone could have. Many in Whitby called him Uncle Phil, I still call him that now. This should not have happened to one so beautiful as he. Rest now Phil, the fight is over, with love from your friend Aunty Su.

Philly B - what a leg end! I never met the guy face to face but over the couple of years that i knew him we chatted some real bollo.......nonsense on the phone! It was quality nonsense that made sense to us and Phil turned out to be a good mate even though he was just a voice in the distance, always interested in how you were and wot was going on in your life.
I'm gutted i never got round to meeting up as we talked about doin and sharing a few brews and doobs but you'll not be forgotten, your artwork will keep your memory alive! oh and you still owe me a tattoo!
Marlen (sorry dude but not xxx's from me)

I was priviledged to meet Phil, Alison and Eve on holiday in Italy 2 years ago. What blew me away was Phil's talen for art. He showed me pictures of paintings he had produced and they were fantastic. Alison is lovely and I'm sure she was the force keeping him going. I feel honoured to have met him and sad that the world has lost a great artist. May you rest in peace now Phil and hope you meet up with some of your heroes up there!! Jan xxx

I write in two different capacities really - as a work colleague and a friend. I met Phil many years ago now when we launched a new range of pencils at the A & I show in London and subsequently when he demonstrated his fantastic techniques with our Pastels at the same show a year later. What struck me more than Phil's amazing talent as an artist was his phenomenal taste in both music and alcohol. Over the years I have been proud to be able to showcase Phil's art in our corporate literature and packaging of our various pencils but even more proud to be able to call Phil, Alison and Eve my friends. Phil, you will be missed.

I MET PHIL THROUGH ALISON WHEN WE USED TO EXCHANGE INFORMATION ON THE JOHN HOPEKINS MENINGIOMA TUMOURS WEBSITE,ABOUT SIX YEARS AGO. PHIL ALWAYS HAD WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENTS AND OPTIMISM TO ME. HE WAS MY HERO BECAUSE HE HAD THE POSSITIVE ATTITUDE TOWARDS LIFE I DDID NOT HAVE AFTER THE COMPLICATIONS WITH BRAIN SURGERY! ONCE I ASKED HIM TO DRAW SOMETHING FOR ME FOR MY BIRTHDAY AND ON A RESTAURANT PAPER NAPKIN HE DRAW THE MOST BEAUTIFUL DRAGON I HAVE EVER SEEN! THEN BEFORE THEY WENT BACK TO ENGLAND HE DRAW AND ANGEL AND THE MOST BEAUTIFUL AND PEACEFUL LANDSCAPE WITH A RIVER AND COUPLE OF BIRDS FLYING WHICH WILL ALWAYS REMIND ME OF US AND THE ENLESS FRIENDSHIP THAT WE BUILD DURING THESE PAST YEARS... EVENTHOUG, WE ARE COMING FROM DIFFERENT WORLDS AND WALKS OF LIFE, HE MADE ME FEEL SPECIAL AND FOR THAT I WILL ALWAYS HOLD HIM DEAR IN MY HEART. ALISON, EVE, LAURA AND ARUN WILL ALWAYS BE MY FAMILY. MY DEEPEST CONDOLENCES TO ALL AND SPECIALLY TO ROSALYN HIS MUM, BECAUSE IT'S GOT TO BE HARD TO LOOSE A SON SO, ARTISTIC, SENSITIVE TO OTHERS AND SO FULL OF LIFE!
HOPE THAT EVE CAN UNDERSTAND AT SUCH A YOUND THAT HER DADDY IS PAIN FREE AND IN HEAVEN!
LOVE YOU ALL!

Special memories of my Uncle Phil and the happy times we spent together in Whitby. Its been an honour to have you in our lives you are much loved and greatly missed sleep well superhero x
All our love Vicky Geoff Kelly and Nick xxxx