August 16, 1931 – May 15, 2022
Phillip Arnold Winkelmans passed away peacefully on May 15, 2022, in Nanaimo, BC, after a brief illness.
He will be forever remembered by: his sons, Tim (Christine Godfrey) Winkelmans, Mark (Janet) Winkelmans, Dennis (Debbie) Winkelmans, and Luke (Jane Loquias) Winkelmans; his daughters, Laureen (Darwin) Kereluke, Pamela Winkelmans, and Gloria (Charles) Bousquet; his grandchildren, Paul (Rebecca Genge) Winkelmans, Amy Godfrey, Kimberly (Matt) Philip, Angela (Robert) Eaves, John (Erin) Kereluke, Jacob Kereluke, Jared Kereluke, and Joel Kereluke; and his great-grandchildren, Jackson, Jordyn, Ryder, Malia, Sebastian, Huxley, Thor, and Kane.
He is survived by his brother Bert (Mary) Winkelmans,his ex-wife and friend, Marie-Claire Bogaardt, and his nieces and nephews.
Phil was predeceased by his parents, and his sisters, Louise, and Dadye.
Phil was born on August 16, 1931, in Vancouver, BC to Leopold (known as Paul) and Anne (nee Mableson) Winkelmans.
He served in the Canadian Army from 1949 to 1952, and was posted in Kingston, the Yukon, Edmonton, Chilliwack, Wainwright, and Victoria. He was honourably discharged with the rank of Signalman.
In 1953, Phil married his first wife, Inez Gradin, of Hendon, SK. Together they raised a family of seven children, residing in Richmond, Victoria, and Nanaimo. Their marriage ended in 1981.
Phil developed his first career in direct-to-home sales of various products and services. He owned and operated several businesses in the Lower Mainland and on Vancouver Island. Following the end of his first marriage, and building upon his faith, he launched a second career in spiritual coaching and counselling through his Self-directional Institute. For this, he undertook several years of post-secondary education, earning a bachelor’s degree from Gonzaga University (1987), a master’s degree from Holy Names College (1988), and a Doctor of Philosophy from the Open International University for Complementary Medicines (2004).
Even before this second career, he contributed time and leadership to Catholic and other Christian communities wherever he lived.
What brought joy to Phil’s life? He loved being around his family. He was a voracious reader and a prolific writer, including two books, an incomplete autobiography, and many journals. He was always a good dancer, which blossomed into a passion for tango. He enjoyed playing chess and cards with family and friends.
In lieu of flowers please consider donating to World Vision Canada or the Nanaimo & District Hospital Foundation.
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