Obituary
A gentle giant (his persona), showed a man who loved his wife Angelica Vallejo-Donkers and children Grace and Adrian. From the first day I met him back in 1995 in Whitby, Ontario, my first impression of him was he was rough and tough around the collar and I didn’t think we would be more than mere acquaintances, however, never judge a book by it’s cover because this man became my best friend. When you got to know him, you see the real “Bubba” who was caring and loving (my folks became like his parents too), polite, full of life and most of all genuine with his friendship and very generous.
Our family did almost everything together when our children were young from African Lion Safari, Wonderland, Theme Parks, Long Weekend Fireworks at Cullen Gardens in Whitby, Theatre plays, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years Eve and Chinese New Year Celebrations to name a few. There were just so many happy and great memories from Toronto Blue Jays games, scrabble games, dinner outings, trips to South East Asia (i.e. Bali), meeting up on various beach destinations in Thailand and exploring Malaysia are some of the places we went together. Both “Bubba” and Angelica are seasoned travellers to other Asian destinations, including Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong, North/South Vietnam, Cambodia, Philippines, Laos and South Korea with so many more trips planned ahead. His desire to one day, visit his Dutch heritage in Holland and Graceland was still in the planning, and in fact 2022 was the year we decided to go down Memphis to see Graceland. He loved Elvis songs and music (Elvis – Collingwood Festival).
Despite the physical distance with his two children, Paul and Tracy (from a previous marriage), who lived in Calgary and High River, he cared for them greatly. They offered and extended assistance to Tracy and family when it mattered the most, being a man that he was.
“Bubba” often talked about his brothers and sisters with great fondness and love. -Patrick Yap
A man capable of many things, but most of all; love and compassion
On Sunday, July 31st at 6:00 a.m. a battle with cancer had taken my mothers’ husband and soul mate, father of Tracy and Paul and a caring step-dad to Grace and myself.
As far back as I could recall, Phil was always called ‘Dad’. From the time he stepped into our lives, he was committed to showing and teaching us how to be kind not only to others but, to ourselves as well. He taught us how to appreciate this world and love nature, to not be afraid of the unknown and be adventurous; discovering what beauty life has to bestow.
From the time I could walk around as a toddler, to riding around for the first time on a bike, he always encouraged us to keep your chin up and jump back up and try again, no matter how many times falling over or wanting to try something else. During those times, he invested and taught a great virtue upon us: Patience.
It was with great patience and dedication that when Phil sat in the kitchen one morning to announce he had the adoption papers to take on his name ‘Donkers’. I can still remember the joy and admiration on his face when I told him he has always been my father, paperwork or not, for he is the man that took his time and love to make sure we would always be part of the family.
Even from the small trips to the park to the far-off road trips and travel destinations, Phil wanted to show and help us understand the outside World and what beauty it has hidden all around us.
Always working hard in and around the house looking for the next project to keep his hands busy. He worked tirelessly and selflessly. He proudly fulfilled his home renovation, yard/garden projects in which he took pride and joy in all of his accomplishments. – Adrian Donkers
Phil worked in the swimming pool service and repairs for over 35 years. He was known as ‘The Pool Doctor’. He was sought out, well liked and respected by all his clients in Calgary, Kelowna and the GTA (Ontario). His “Lanny MacDonald” moustache was his treasured story.
Phil will be greatly missed by his loving wife of 27 years Angelica, children Grace and Adrian, Paul (Amanda) and Tracy (Dayle), grandchildren, his siblings Wilma (Wayne), Mary (Bob), John (Filip), Henry (Karen) and Johnny (Patti), his nieces and nephews and all his neighbours and friends. Sadly missed by Angelica’s side of the family in Malaysia, Philippines and the US, his mother-in-law, Mariam and his sisters-in-law Gloria, Cathy (Ramon), Ramlah, Farah, Junaida (Farhan), Farisha (Ezam) and brothers-in-law Orkhan (Hafanie) and Rey (Elena). Will surely be missed by his long time buddy and business partner, Mario in Kelowna. Our beloved pet pom ‘Kaia’ is already missing Phil, she is Dad’s little girl in our household.
Phil was predeceased by his parents Harry and Elizabeth (nee Mennen), his bothers Martin and Jim (Elaine) and brother-in-law Edwin (Ellen).
We shall meet up one day up above and you can show us around.
As per Phil’s wishes, cremation has taken place. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. If desired, memorial donations may be made in his memory to the Alex Ositis Foundation, P.O. Box 1251, Rosetown, SK, S0L 2V0.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Philippus Phil Maria DONKERS October 14 1951 July 31 2022 (age 70)..
Death notice for the town of: Rosetown, Province: Saskatchewan
So sorry to hear about the loss of our dear cousin Phil, may he Rest In Peace, my condolences to his family from cousin Denise Kerr (Kitchener)