Phillip Mickel Marsh, age 75, passed away peacefully after a lengthy battle with cancer on January 5th, 2025.

Phil was born in Taber, the third son of Earl and Kathleen Marsh on July 11, 1949. He grew up on a farm in Vauxhall; a multi-generational home with his aunts, uncles and many cousins. He developed strong bonds, which lasted his entire life.

Phil farmed and worked in the agricultural field, meeting and forming friendships along the way. Growing up, Phil competed in Rodeos during the summer as a steer wrestler. In the winters, Phil loved to play or coach hockey, he was a fan of the Edmonton Oilers. He also played football in high school and followed the Edmonton Elks. He was fond of hunting, and was an avid outdoors man who enjoyed camping, road trips and relaxing at an outdoor music event. Phil, along with his son, Randy, were fans of Nascar. He was a devoted friend available for coffee, backgammon, and crib games. He was also a bit of a pack rat by nature and passed on his collections to his children.

Throughout his twenties, many of his friends got married, settled down and started having families.  So, in 1976 he married Lano Bilesky, and they had three sons together; Jeff in 1978 and twins Trevor and Randy in 1979. Regrettably Phil lost the mother of his children, Lano Marsh, to cancer.

He hosted many get-togethers to bring together his family and friends, the people he loved.

On July 24, 1999, Philip married Susan Papp, and the family grew to five more members. Phil and Susan loved their family and made the diverse family work. In 2004, he had a set back with a heart attack and later in 2013 was diagnosed with cancer. Throughout all his setbacks he remained positive about the future, remaining loving and supportive towards his family and friends.

Phil is survived by his loving wife Susan Marsh; children Jeff and Trevor Marsh (Rhonda), Richard Papp (Michele), Lacey Westmoreland (John), Shanell Papp, Bryanna Papp (Derek); grandchildren Connar Ried, Austin Matson, Jamie and Rayson Kruse, William and Jude Marsh, Harrison Gray, Mia McLean; two brothers Jim and Marvin Marsh (Teddy); cousins Sharon Jensen (Barry), and Linda Hunt.

Phil was predeceased by his parents Earl and Kathleen Marsh; first wife Lano Marsh; son Randy Marsh; brother Ken and wife Val Marsh; nephews Gene Marsh and Jeb Trotter; mother-in-law Joyce Harper; father-in-law William and his wife Dora Bilesky; sister-in-law Alberta Hagen; and a very close cousin Gord McPherson.

 We all loved a great man, husband, father, grandfather, brother, son, cousin, uncle and deeply cherished friend. He loved us all, and we loved him.

Have comfort in knowing that he lived his life with joy and had many wonderful memories with family and friends; a friendly and sociable man, he made friends wherever he went and impacted them all, his welcoming smile and warm embrace meant so much. He always had a cup of coffee for anyone who just needed to talk.

A Celebration of Phil’s Life will be held at 11:00am on Monday, January 13, 2025, at MARTIN BROTHERS RIVERVIEW CHAPEL, 610 – 4 Street South, Lethbridge, Alberta.

Services

Celebration of Life

Monday

January 13, 2025

11:00 AM

Martin Brothers Funeral Chapels

This event will be live-streamed.  Click here to access the video.