Funeral Information for Director Philip Deleanor Willette, Retired East York (L-418)

Phil Willette – June 5, 1943 ~ September 14, 2025

Passed peacefully surrounded by family, on September 14th, 2025, aged 82 of Holyrood, NL. Phil was born on June 1943 in Winter House Brook, Bonne Bay, Newfoundland, to John and Susie Willette.

He moved to Toronto at the age of 17, where, a few years later, he started his career as a Firefighter with the East York Fire Department. He volunteered with the Kiwanis Club of East York for many years, working tirelessly in the support of children around the world. He retired from the fire department in 1998 as the Director of Training after more than 30 years of brave and dedicated service. When he returned to Newfoundland to live, Phil became a dedicated member of the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch No. 64, Holyrood, offering countless hours of volunteer service. Through this service work, he built many lasting friendships with a large Legion family whom he cherished throughout all his days.

In his retirement, he also used his considerable skills in carpentry and painting for projects both at home and in the surrounding community. He will be forever missed by his surviving siblings Loretta Dolmage (Neil), John (Carole Anne), Helen Forward (Wendell) and Kathleen Webster (Fred) and sisters-in-law Bernadette and Lynn; Peggy’s siblings Patricia Crawford (Bill deceased), Andrew, Ed (Diana), Maria Rowe (Neil deceased), Alicia Dill (Marty), and John; along with his many nieces, nephews and friends.

Heartfelt gratitude goes to the Miller Centre Palliative Care Team, Community Support Program, Holyrood, and Dr. Paul Walsh. A special thank you to Judy and Helen for their care and support in Phil’s final weeks.

To read the full Obituary, please follow this link.

Visitation – Wednesday, September 17, 2025, from 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm, Dunphy’s Funeral Home, 366 Conception Bay Highway, Holyrood, NL A0A 2R0.

Mass of Christian Burial – Thursday, September 18, 2025, at 10:30 am Holy Cross Catholic Church, North Side Road, Holyrood, NL A0A 2R0

This event will be Live-streamed: https://tom0349.wixsite.com/streamingservices/dunphys

Our deepest condolences go out to his family and friends from all our Fire Fighter Retiree Groups.

In Solidarity,

Retired Toronto Fire Fighters Association I.A.F.F. Local 3888