The Spirit of the Late Phil St Luke

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Phil St Luke passed away on January 13, 2023, and since that time, the community has shared condolences, personal stories, and many memories of Phil.

The City hosted a community event on June 9, 2023, which celebrated the spirit of the late Phil St Luke. Our thanks to those who attended the event as well as generous support from Quality Foods, Parksville Beach Festival Society, the Apollos, M & N Mattress, and the Mount Arrowsmith Pipe Band.

In February 2023, a standing committee was appointed by Mayor O’Brien to consider further recognition of Mr St Luke. The Mayor appointed three members from the community as well as Councillors Adam Fras, Mary Beil and Joel Grenz as members of the standing committee. Chaired by Councillor Fras, the committee met regularly to report on fundraising activities conducted by the community members on the standing committee.

At the January 29, 2024, meeting, Council passed a resolution to remove the project from the 2024 corporate work plan and the committee wrapped up their work at a meeting on March 4, 2024. Members of the community will continue to raise funds through 2024 and expect to bring a recommendation to Council later in the year.

The City hosted event on June 9 celebrated the spirit of the late Phil St Luke. Despite a little rain, the event and fundraising efforts were successful. Should you wish to contribute to fundraising, please refer to the Flying Phil website which has information about ways to donate to the statue project. Our thanks to everyone who attended the event as well as generous support from Quality Foods, Parksville Beach Festival Society, the Apollos, M & N Mattress, and the Mount Arrowsmith Pipe Band.

Phil St Luke merchandise available at the June 9 event can be purchased at the McMillan Arts Centre. All proceeds help fundraising efforts for the Phil St Luke statue project.



Phil St Luke passed away on January 13, 2023, and since that time, the community has shared condolences, personal stories, and many memories of Phil.

The City hosted a community event on June 9, 2023, which celebrated the spirit of the late Phil St Luke. Our thanks to those who attended the event as well as generous support from Quality Foods, Parksville Beach Festival Society, the Apollos, M & N Mattress, and the Mount Arrowsmith Pipe Band.

In February 2023, a standing committee was appointed by Mayor O’Brien to consider further recognition of Mr St Luke. The Mayor appointed three members from the community as well as Councillors Adam Fras, Mary Beil and Joel Grenz as members of the standing committee. Chaired by Councillor Fras, the committee met regularly to report on fundraising activities conducted by the community members on the standing committee.

At the January 29, 2024, meeting, Council passed a resolution to remove the project from the 2024 corporate work plan and the committee wrapped up their work at a meeting on March 4, 2024. Members of the community will continue to raise funds through 2024 and expect to bring a recommendation to Council later in the year.

The City hosted event on June 9 celebrated the spirit of the late Phil St Luke. Despite a little rain, the event and fundraising efforts were successful. Should you wish to contribute to fundraising, please refer to the Flying Phil website which has information about ways to donate to the statue project. Our thanks to everyone who attended the event as well as generous support from Quality Foods, Parksville Beach Festival Society, the Apollos, M & N Mattress, and the Mount Arrowsmith Pipe Band.

Phil St Luke merchandise available at the June 9 event can be purchased at the McMillan Arts Centre. All proceeds help fundraising efforts for the Phil St Luke statue project.



  • It was all thumbs up at final meeting of the Phil St Luke standing committee. Our thanks to the committee and dedicated community members.

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    March 4, 2024

  • Celebrate the Spirit of Phil St Luke

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    April 14, 2023

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    The City of Parksville will celebrate the spirit of the late Phil St Luke at a community event on Friday, June 9 in the Parksville Community Park. The event will be held at the Parksville Outdoor Theatre from 7 to 9 pm and is free for the community and all are welcome to join the community celebration to recognize Phil St Luke.

    We are planning for a casual fun evening with a few speeches and lots of music and dancing. Please bring your smiles and dancing shoes – exactly what Phil would do. Bring a blanket or a lawn chair and stay for the evening. There will be music by the Mount Arrowsmith Pipe Band and the Apollos, an Oceanside band playing rock, blues, and country from the 1980s to now. Quality Foods will provide treats for the first 500 people.

    Since the passing of Phil St Luke on January 13, the community has shared condolences, personal stories, and memories of Phil. Parksville Council approved funding for this community event and supports in principle the concept of a statue of Phil St Luke in the City, contingent upon funds being raised by the community. A standing committee appointed by Mayor O’Brien and chaired by Councillor Adam Fras, is meeting and has taken on fundraising initiatives. Committee members will be fundraising funds at this event.

    The City is honoured to host this event to recognize the late Phil St Luke and look forward to sharing more details as they become available. Please refer to Let’s Talk Parksville for event updates and information.

    For more information:
    Deb Tardiff, Manager of Communications
    dtardiff@parksville.ca; 250 954-3073

  • City Celebration for the Late Phil St Luke

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    February 27, 2023

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    Parksville Council wishes to recognize Phil St Luke as an ambassador for the City of Parksville and support the community’s wishes for a celebration. At the meeting on February 22, Council approved a celebration event to be funded by the City.

    The City will host a community celebration for the late Phil St Luke on Friday, June 9 from 7 to 9 pm at the outdoor theatre in the Parksville Community Park. The event is free, and everyone is welcome to attend. Planning is underway and more information will be provided closer to the event. Please refer to Let’s Talk Parksville for event updates and information.

    Phil St Luke passed away on January 13 and since that time, the community has shared condolences, personal stories and memories of Phil. Council wishes to receive suggestions for further recognition of Mr. St Luke; Let’s Talk Parksville, the City’s engagement platform, provides the space to leave ideas.

    As approved at the February 6 meeting, Council supports in principle a statue of Phil St Luke in the City of Parksville, contingent upon funds being raised by the community with a final decision on location, design and role of the City being made after consideration of proposals from community groups. Councillors Adam Fras and Mary Beil are members of a standing committee appointed by Mayor O’Brien to look at further recognition of Mr St Luke. Should you wish to contribute or be involved, email CouncillorFras@parksville.ca.

    The City is honoured to host the community event on June 9 to recognize the late Phil St Luke and look forward to sharing the details as they become available.

    For more information:
    Deb Tardiff, Manager of Communications
    dtardfiff@parksville.ca; 250 954-3073

  • City Recognition for the Late Phil St Luke

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    January 10, 2023

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    Since the passing of Phil St Luke on January 13, there has been an outpouring of condolences as citizens share many personal stories and memories of Phil; his impact on the community was immeasurable and he will be missed. Parksville Council wishes to recognize Phil St Luke as an ambassador for the City of Parksville and support the community’s wishes for a celebration.

    Following the closed meeting on February 6, Council rose and reported on the following resolutions:

    • That the City host a celebration of life at the Parksville Outdoor Theatre in spring or summer 2023.
    • That staff investigate cost sharing, entertainment and community partnership opportunities for the celebration of life and report back to Council with options.
    • That staff prepare a news release and provide opportunity for public engagement on additional ideas for recognition of Phil St Luke on Let’s Talk Parksville.
    • That Council support in principle a statue of Phil St Luke in the City of Parksville, contingent upon funds being raised by the community with a final decision on location, design and role of the City being made after consideration of proposals from community groups.
    • As indicated in the resolution, staff will provide Council with a suggested plan for a community celebration to be held at the Parksville Outdoor Theatre in the Parksville Community Park. We will consult Phil’s family and as plans are confirmed, will advise the public of the arrangements.

    Council also wishes to receive ideas and suggestions for further recognition of Mr. St Luke. This opportunity will be provided on the City’s engagement platform, Let’s Talk Parksville, and will be announced once the site has been set up. Until we have more information, should you wish to contribute time or share your thoughts, please email communications@parksville.ca with your name, contact information and how you would like to be involved.

    The City is honoured to host an event to recognize the late Phil St Luke and we look forward to sharing the details with the public at the earliest opportunity.

    For more information:
    Deb Tardiff, Manager of Communications
    dtardiff@parksville.ca; 250 954-3073

Page last updated: 11 Mar 2024, 03:55 PM