PHILIPPE ROBERT BOISJOLI

It is with great sadness we announce that Phil passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on November 17, 2022, at the age of 70.

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How do I condense Phil’s story in a few short paragraphs? I can not, but I will do my best.

Phil was born in Winnipeg and raised in St. Norbert, Manitoba. He was predeceased by both his parents, Georges & Alice. Phil is survived by his loving wife of 37 years, Elaine. He leaves to mourn his sons Robert (Sarah), Roger (Cynthia) & Daniel, his grandchildren Taylor, Rylynn and Mason, his siblings, Madeleine, Michelle, Raymond (Judy), and a large extended family.

It was in St. Norbert where he met and grew up with many friends that he still had at the time of his passing.

Since his early childhood he developed a keen interest in how engines of any kind worked.

As a teenager he fell in love with music and the guitar. He and his friends would gather and play music in whosever basement was available. In the many years to follow, Phil would have jam sessions in his “shop” until the wee hours of the morning or dawn. Surprisingly he never got complaints from the neighbours, with the exception of his Dad, who lived next door. He loved playing his Fender acoustic guitar and also his electric guitars, especially hard rock.

His passion for race cars and racing in general was unwavering. It was part of his DNA. He influenced many of his friends to take up racing cars, building and repairing them. He was well known for his expert cage building. When he got into his racecar, he was a fearless competitor. Unfortunately, the cars were unable to match his “no holds barred” spirit and aggressive maneuvers on the track. He loved being at the track with all its’ smells and sounds. Most recently Phil enjoyed having a great time at the track with his son Roger, his friend Steve and his grand-daughter Taylor. Phil was a great mentor to many people. He influenced not only his sons Roger and Daniel (Boj); he took Taylor under his wings and taught her about how race cars worked. She now has a keen interest in racing stock cars and has the wish to someday become a mechanic. Many days Phil and Taylor spent time together in his shop; showing Taylor how to “torque a wrench” and other things that I know nothing about.

Phil’s work life took many turns. He worked at various trucking companies in Winnipeg. This included long haul trucking in the United States and shop manager at Arnold Brothers, until his retirement in 2013. He would tell stories of the road and would on occasion, take a friend on one of his trips.

I met Phil on a blind date when we were both 17. I recall the date went well and we dated for a short while. However, as time went by, Phil had other interests, truck driving and working away from home. We went our separate ways. Our paths crossed many years later and we quickly fell in love and started a family. Those years were very busy. We shared many hardships but also had so many more happy memories. We loved our old house at the corner of Ducharme Ave. & Pembina Hwy. Phil was known as the “biker” who lived there. The garage door was always open and there were many friends who would stop by. Although Phil was a relatively quiet guy, he loved to spend time with his many friends in his shop and sharing stories and a beer or two.

Phil loved to ride his Harley Davidson motorcycle. We both loved motorcycles but our family life was more important. The time came when we decided to buy our bike. The memory is so vivid today. It was on a very cold January day when we stopped by the Harley Davidson dealership on Marion St.

It was love at first sight. There she was, a 1988 EVO Softail, with well worn leather saddle bags. We both looked at each other and instantly knew this was “the one!” Our first trip to Sturgis, South Dakota on our bike that summer was glorious! It was a “dream come true” for us. We were in “motorcycle Heaven!” We were instantly hooked. Over the years friends have come with us on our Sturgis trip or Phil would travel with his buddies, enjoying taking different routes there and back. More recently, when Phil was unable to go to the rally in Sturgis, he would watch it daily on You Tube. I had taken my own riding lessons a bought myself a Sportster. For a few years I was able to ride along side him. I cherish those memories.

Above all else in Phil’s life, he was a family man. I felt his love everyday. He was a very proud Dad. Each of his boys had their own talents, such as welding, fabrication, mechanics, music and cooking. All of these skills were greatly influenced by a loving mentor/teacher – their Dad.

I love Phil more than I can express in words. He is a part of my soul and I cannot describe the immense loss that I feel.

To my love, until we are together again… Elaine

The family would like to take this opportunity to thank Dr. Mooney and the nursing staff of Intensive Care Medicine & Surgery at St. Boniface Hospital, especially nurse Bernadette. With their understanding and compassion, they tenderly guided us through this tremendously difficult process.

A special thanks to Darren, Allen and Steve.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Phil’s memory can be made to Cancer Care Manitoba or the St. Boniface Hospital Research Foundation, or to a charity of their choice.

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PaePae was and will forever be my favorite person. He understood my problems that sometimes other people didn’t understand, like how we both have curly hair.

I remember trips to Co-op when PaePae had to take the lawnmower. There really was no point; the lawnmower was so slow. I walked beside him the whole way.

There was one time him and I were putting the racecar into the garage. It didn’t have any brakes so it rolled right into the bench. I looked back and saw PaePae on the floor. I asked him if he was okay and his only reply was to laugh. We couldn’t stop laughing about it.

I won’t get used to him not being down on earth, but I know he’s watching over me up above. PaePae is someone who shaped me into the person I am today and I couldn’t be happier that I got to call him my PaePae. Although a piece of me is gone now, I love him so much. He’ll always be in my heart and he’ll always be my PaePae.

          Taylor Mackenzie Boisjoli

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If you look up what a man is you would find a picture of Phil, old school as they get. A man that showed very little emotion on his face but wore his BIG heart on his sleeve. A true family man, even to those who were not blood.

Till we meet again.

God speed on your journey to that dirt track in the sky.

Dan Klim

MowDown Racing Engines

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A Celebration of Phil's life will be held on at 2pm on Thursday, July 13, 2023 at the St. Norbert Community Centre. 

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ETHICAL DEATH CARE

Cremation & Life Celebrations

530 St. Mary Avenue - Winnipeg

204-421-5501 - www.ethicaldeathcare.com

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