A sociable and friendly dad, brother and uncle, Alan Phillips was both proud of his Whitchurch roots and curious about the world. City Hospice provided Alan with specialist palliative care, as well as opportunities to enjoy day hospice activities like the Sports Bar, before he passed away aged 91 (and three quarters) in October 2025.
A former naval officer in the Merchant Navy before embarking on careers in the building trade and steelworks in Cardiff, Alan had a love of travel, both in the UK and around the world, and enjoyed exchanging stories of different experiences, countries and cultures with people he met.
His daughter Alison said: “Dad was interested in talking to people. Within five minutes of being in a room, he’d be talking and laughing. Whether the topic was his home city of Cardiff or somewhere from his travels, he would strike up a conversation and enjoy sharing his interests with others.”
His daughter Jennifer added: “His naval career before he met our mum inspired his love of travel, but he also found joy in adventures closer to home. When we were younger, he would take us camping twice a year and he loved west Wales. Even later in life, when he was 89, we did a caravan holiday in the Isle of Wight because he wanted to visit a new place to him.”
After becoming ill with a gallbladder infection at the end of 2023, Alan was diagnosed with mesothelioma, a rare cancer primarily caused by exposure to asbestos, and dementia within the space of eight weeks in early 2024.
Alison said: “We were upset about the news of Dad’s diagnosis but he was very matter of fact about it, although he did scale back his goal of reaching 100 and receiving a card off the king! He was referred to City Hospice straight away and they supported us really quickly, from sorting a ramp to help with medications and liaising with the GP.
“He loved the nurses – Faye, Sarah and Jenna – who provided great care at home and at the hospice. They were a brilliant support and always responsive to his needs and our queries.”
Jennifer said: “We felt that City Hospice truly looked after the whole family, not just Dad. They are always there if needed, even for our sister Gill who lives in west Wales.
“We really like how the hospice supports and focuses on quality of life. With their support we could still go on holidays and little trips away. They allowed us all to embrace and live life with no regrets.”
The family are regular supporters of the charity which has cared for Alan and other family members, volunteering to help at events and attending day hospice activities like carers’ mornings.
Alison said: “We have always been involved with City Hospice as they have helped our family so much so sharing our story in support of Light up a Life was something we wanted to do. Our mum Barbara 30 years ago, our mum’s sister and more recently my husband Tony have all benefitted from the care and compassion of the charity.”
Jennifer added: “We already knew of the hospice’s empathy and understanding, and were familiar with the wonderful care they provide at home plus the day hospice activities before Dad became a patient of theirs. Although these have been difficult periods in our lives, we have formed nice memories of the hospice thanks to their care and the time we were able to spend with our loved ones because of it.”
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