“Flying” Phil St. Luke (centre) was a constant presence in the Parksville community and parades, including this one in 2012. (submitted photo)

By Alex Rawnsley

lasting legacy

Parksville eyes ambassador honour & statue for late Phil St. Luke

Feb 10, 2023 | 9:10 AM

PARKSVILLE — A community icon in the Oceanside region is set to receive some posthumous honours.

Phil St. Luke passed away in mid-January at the age of 70, leaving behind a near-endless legacy of community spirit, energy and positivity.

Following his passing, tributes compelled City of Parksville councillors do more formally recognize St. Luke’s contributions to the community.

“His impact on the community was immeasurable and he will be missed,” a release from the City read. “Parksville Council wishes to recognize Phil St Luke as an ambassador for the City of Parksville and support the community’s wishes for a celebration.”

Current plans in place include a spring or summer celebration of life at the Parksville Outdoor Theatre in the Community Park.

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No specific date has been set with plans still coming together, however the event will be announced well in advance.

Also on the table is a loudly called-for statue in Parksville.

During a Feb. 6 closed Council meeting, councillors passed a motion to support in principle the idea of a monument to St. Luke.

“…contingent upon funds being raised by the community with a final decision on location, design and role of the City being made after consideration of proposals from community groups.”

A series of public consultation events are also being planned to gather more ideas to pay tribute to St. Luke.

St. Luke was widely known for being a highly visible figure predominately in downtown Parksville.

For many years he wove to passing motorists, visited local merchants and conveyed his upbeat personality to people he knew and those he didn’t.

St. Luke was a constant figure in numerous public events, including parades and community celebrations.

In the hours after his passing, countless people spoke online and to NanaimoNewsNOW regarding his impact on them and the community.

One friend NanaimoNewsNOW spoke with said she first met Phil when she moved from Victoria when she was 12.

She spotted him waving to passersby on a bridge and wondered what kind of town she was moving to.

A few days later, she ran into the Phil downtown and was quickly engaged in conversation with him and the rest was history. From then, she said Phil never forgot her name over the years they’ve known each other.

Parksville Mayor Doug O’Brien remembered Phil as a “local legend”, and as the “unofficial ambassador for the City of Parksville.

“He had a large stature, he was as large as life, he had a big wave and a booming voice. He represented the City of Parksville at every opportunity because Phil was a great walker, he never had a driver’s license but he had more miles on his boots than anyone else I know.”

Kim Burden, executive director of the Parksville and District Chamber of Commerce, told NanaimoNewsNOW Phil was a constant presence at their annual Canada Day parade, leading the procession with his drum.

“The thing about Phil was he had a smile on his face, in terms of an ambassador for the community he greeted people, he popped into businesses to say hi. He was a presence in the community and he’ll be sadly missed.”

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