His Fight is Over

“The call that I have been afraid of all week came at 5:26am.

Phil passed away peacefully early this morning.

Forgive me if this post seems kind of disjointed and rambling, I'm a little numb right now and I have to keep wiping my glasses.

It's not that our prayers and thoughts didn't work, it's just that Phil had other plans. He was in a hurry to hike all those trails that cancer took away from him over the past 2 years.

You guys have done so much already but, if you have a few more prayers & good thoughts in the fuel tank for Dani & Phil's family during this time, I know they could use it.

Once I find out if there is a service or anything, I'll y'all know.

Right now I'm going to get a cup of coffee and look at old photo albums and maybe take a walk later in the rain later.

I personally want to thank all of you. I know you guys didn't really know me but, your response for Bearmagnet was over-whelming. Thank you all.

For those who didn't know Phil, this was his blog. He chronicled his fight in there.

http://bearmagnet.blogspot.com/”

“My condolences and prayers go out to Dani and all Phil's friends...I am so sorry you had to post this, Katie but thank you for doing so...peace, Phil...”

“Big hugs to you Katie and my prayers will definetly be with Dani.

I'll miss your antic Bear....rest now.”

“i propose a moment of silence be observed for all those reading this thread


























































ms katie, please convey to dani how sorry i am”

“i was really rooting for bear. my father died of cancer-related complications, so i really wanted bear to pull through. but didnt bear have pneumonia? was it the pneumonia combined with the treatments, and the 2 together were to much to take? i'll have to look at that prayers thread again”

“A heartbreaker to hear, that's for sure. I will honestly miss BMs antics on this board as I'm sure will everyone else. I didn't know him personally but I have to believe he didn't really hide behind a screen name, and what we got from him here is what his friends and family got from him everywhere else. Lucky people. He always managed to get a smile from me in one way or another.

Happy Trails, brother. I'll miss you.”

“Damn...just damn.”

“We've only lost a few good TTers over the years and it's very sad. Thanks for letting us know, Ms. Katie.

Happy trails indeed, Bearmagnet.”

“. . .not the first thread I wanted to see this morning. Or that i ever wanted to see.

I didn't knw him at all but through his additions (and subtractions) to this board. And so I will miss him for those.”

“Ms. Katie, my sincerest condolences to Dani and Phil's 'family'...and may angels wing him to paradise and the longest, sweetest trail his eyes have ever seen... :| .............................................”

“Have a great hike BM!”

“My condolences to Dani and Phil’s family and friends. He was one of a kind and will be greatly missed.”

“I don't know what to say. I saw the thread title, thought, hmmmm, then the author and thought, $#&%!$! As he said so often on the other thread, cancer sux. Thoughts and prayers for all involved.

Might I ask how long they were married? I don't recall but think it might be less than a year, certainly less than 2. They were still newlyweds. I can't imagine what Danni is going through.”

“Can someone post Dani's addy, please?.........”

“My sincere condolences to Dani and Phils family ............”

“..but something on his blog page made me laugh this morning......would have been nice to have met him.

I wish him, his family, and all who knew him Peace.”

“Katie, please let me know what's going on.

I'll never forget Phil's wonderful grin.

Boy, he sure made people laugh.

The sky is cryin'..........”

“I believe the wedding was June, 2005..........well, it was definitely on a farm near Middletown, Maryland.
last edited: 12/13/07 5:01:15 AM”

“a very sad day - I'll always remember him from the Old Rag trip and all the fun he created on the forum”

“I had not met him, but have heard alot about him. So sorry for his battle. Glad he is at rest now. My sincere condolences to his family.”

“So long, Bearmagnet. We never met, but I feel we were friends, good friends.

God speed.”

“May God bless and provide peace for Dani and his Phil's family.

Bearmagnet was a bright guy with a fighting spirit.

May we all learn from his determination in difficult times.”

“Very sad. It's too bad it takes news like this to remind yourself how much you have to appreciate.”

“That he was, 'Zac.   I never met him in person either, but I'll never forget the stories he posted about his adventures around DC.  What a character!

I don't know.   Right now, I'm just numb.”

“I never got to meet Bear, but I first came to know him when I was just posting on the darkside back when he was the biggest perv on the boards. :) Dani sure grew that boy up. I am gonna miss his craziness, but his contributions will always be with us, unless Demand Media phucks up and loses our archives.”

“

Are there bears in heaven?? CERTAINLY! (click on the pic)
last edited: 12/13/07 5:28:00 AM”

“Folks, keep in mind the funeral expense that Dani is about to undertake in additional to the medical that was already there.”

“I was going to say the same thing that Dayhiker did, checking who posted this thread and saying "No!" because I knew what it meant. Rest in peace, Bear.”

“I'm very sorry for everyone's loss and the fact that I will never get to meet Phil.

-John”

“Oh wow, I can't believe it! I knew he was really sick, but for some reason I never really thought he'd do anything except get better. I never did get to meet him, either. My condolances to everyone in his family.

Thanks for the moment of silence, Crash.”

“Bear would have something funny to cheer us up. I wonder what it would be?”

“Man, talk about a heartbreak. I'm sorry to hear about the loss of a good friend. I will be praying for both of you still.

Happy Trails”

“During the course of life, people seem to come and go from our lives. However, there are always those magical few who create memories so indelible that time will neither erase nor dim the existence of those pleasant thoughts. Some people have a smile or wit that instantly creates a feeling of warmth...a comfort zone that develops merely by being in that persons presence.

I met Phil once, in Masten, October '06. It was a difficult time for me personally. The pains in my heart were sharp and seemingly overwhelming. However, seeing bearmagnet walk up and introduce himself with a smile on his face created that sense of spirit that makes the trail warm on a cold cloudy day. Watching him enjoy life with a passion despite the struggles he faced was a true lesson in courage. Seeing his optimistic outlook on the future was truly inspiring. In short, Phil was one of those people who could make you understand that perspective is reality. By helping me realize that, he helped me to move forward to a happier, more full existence. For that I will be eternally grateful.

Rest in Peace, my friend. Walk the trail above the clouds. Eternally bask in the soft light of early morning. Find peace at all times. Leave with the sure knowledge that you had a positive impact on the people you met.

I will always feel blessed to have met Phil.
last edited: 12/13/07 5:40:57 AM”

“Bear would have something funny to cheer us up. I wonder what it would be?¡±

that everone who sees this thread make a post to the atonement thread in his honor, maybe?

RIP, bear. may all the angels have D-cups and be dressed in string bikinis”

“Tears are running down my face. Bearmagnet/Phil has always been one of my favorites here at TrailTalk.

Dani, my prayers and condolescences are with you.”

“Dani, I know how the battle goes, I know your pain from (too many) personal experiences. I'll send more prayers your way hoping that you find peace, some day sooner rather than later. That day does come, believe it or not. Keep the faith. [ hugs ]

Phil, I met you only on the Old Rag trip, but you were a great guy to hang out with. I remember hanging out at the back of the pack (since we were the slow ones) as we made our way up the mountain, chatting it up as we perpetually tried to catch up with the rest. I'll catch up with you on the trail, some day. God be with you.”

“Oh Good Lord.....I...I really don't know what to say...I am so sorry. Dani...please understand how much this hurts to read.”

“Go rest high on that mountain Bearmagnet.

We love you and we will miss you around here. My condolences to his family. This is a sad day.”

“it makes me so sad to hear that he has passed...
I feel honored to have met him in Masten. Chili very eloquently expressed the effect BM had on all he met. He was a very positive and down to earth person. I loved his "tell it like it is" banter...a sense of humor I could relate to.

Rest peacefully, Phil...you'll be thought of often on the trail. Know that many a nalgene will be raised 'round the fire, in your honor.

AmyG”

“I'm going for a rainy day hike in the park this morning......for Phil.........”

“A good example of his humor, and also one of his last threads.

http://www.thebackpacker.com/trailtalk/thread/49792.php”

“We're here for you, Dani.”

“The final healing hurts those who are left. But I pray it brings peace, relief and wholeness to the one who experiences it.

I never met Bear.

My prayers for the family, immediate and extended.”

“I'm sorry to hear this. I always loved the posts he made and the story behind his name bearmagnet was great. Here's to you Phil!”

“I had a lot of fun with that guy; he was one of the good ones.”

“I'm sorry to hear it...his spirited personality wil be missed...

rest in peace.”

“I really didn't want to see this thread or any other like it. Ever.

On many active web communities you never know a posters real name until something really bad happens. I find a small bit of comfort in that on TT many of us already know each others real names and we learned them through good experiences and happy communications.

I'm glad to have known that Bearmagnet was a Phil.

Dani, peace be with you.”

“Does anyone else see a version of the final scene in Bagger Vance....with use walking to the light and Bear sitting in the big camp in the sky waving us over to the fire with a strong cup of something to sip......”

“bearmagnet will be greatly missed. My prayers for Dani and all those close to him. For Comfort and Healing.”