Phillip Titus Kanske was born on May 8, 1940, in Bellingham WA, to Steve and Virginia (Titus) Kanske, He was the first born and oldest of four. He grew up in Bellingham, Everett, and Anacortes, graduating from Anacortes High School in 1958. He was recently part of the 65th High School Reunion on Zoom. He passed away at UGH – ACU on Tuesday, June 27, 2023.

In high school Phil played the trombone in the band and his senior year commuted from Mount Vernon to graduate with his class. Phil had many jobs including working in the fields and being a house boy at Yellowstone, but he was proudest of his 20 years driving bus for Greyhound all over the western United States. It was where he met his wife Karen in 1976. They met at the beginning of October, were engaged a month later, and married in April on her 24th birthday. He often described himself as a curious person and, as his memory started to fail him, he had lots of questions and his response was  “that’s good to know” when he got answers. He loved hats, hummingbirds, cruising to Alaska, any type of road trip, trains, straws, milkshakes, math (he was a whiz) and the last few weeks of his life he had fun playing Bingo at Life Care in Sedro-Woolley.

Phil is survived by his wife of 46 years, Karen (nee Caddy) and son Jeff (Jodi) along with granddaughter Emi (Shawn) and great-granddaughters Athena and Ivy. His sister Kathy Dills (Don) predeceases him. His brother Duane (Debbie) Kanske and his sister Barbara (Gary) Christopher survive.

He had 5 nephews, Steven (Lisa) Dills, Randy Dills, Dustin Kanske (deceased), Douglas Kanske, Dean Kanske; 3 nieces, Melissa (Mark) Smith, Katie (Noah) Frank, and Kenzie Brister; his great-nephews, Tim Dills, Nathan Dills, Drew Smith and Levi Frank; his great-nieces, Maddie Smith, Gracie Dills, Rosey Frank, Ellis Frank and Lainey Frank.

He had to have tea and cookies with Pat and Terry Larsen, and he saved soda cans and bottles for Pat Benson to recycle.

In Canada he is survived by his mother-in-law, Thelma Caddy; sisters-in-law, Diane Mitchell and Kathy Caddy; as well as nieces, Erica Beard (Jordan) and Laura Campbell (Zac); 2 great nieces, Sophie and Halley Beard, and the Coupar and Emeny households.

Phil’s longevity is the result of the great personal care of Dr. Brian Patterson, Renee Burnett (ARNP) and Robin Holmes (ARNP) at Associates in Family Medicine (now the Everett Clinic in Bellingham). They kept him going far longer than he ever expected to live and they did it with grace, giving him a good quality of life.

We are indebted to the staff at United General Hospital ACU unit. Dr.’s Goo, Hong, and Dick “got” Phil and worked so hard to keep him with us over many sojourns on the unit. The nurses and aides were incredibly caring.

Life Care of the Skagit Valley has been a mainstay of Phil’s life the last 8 months. He had three separate admissions and each time he was treated so well and with the utmost respect and kindness.  Our thanks go to Paula (ARNP) and nurses Mykel, Carmen, Angie, and Becky as well as all the others. The CNA’s who looked after him and got him cleaned up – Caroline (with the best hugs), Kandis, Mark, Mary, Ben, and others. The recreation staff of Beverly and Myranda got him to go to Bingo! Lastly the therapy staff who worked so hard with him to help him achieve his goal to go home (which he did twice) – John, Crystal, Kim, Julie, and Mary.

A Celebration of Phillip’s life will be held from 11:00am to 3:00pm on Saturday, September 16, 2023 at Riverfront Park in Sedro-Woolley. The family asks you to bring your favorite dish and story to share. In lieu of flowers donations are requested to the Alger Fire Department, 18726 Parkview Lane, Burlington, WA 98239 or Samish Elementary School Library 23953 Prairie Road, Sedro-Woolley, WA 98284. Both are groups near and dear to our hearts.  Share your memories of Phil and sign the online guest register.