It has been one year since you left us after your tragic accident. I find myself wishing more and more that you would bound through the door and grab me in your big strong arms in a bear hug as we excitedly say hello. Maybe one day I will be able to look at the birds and the trees you loved so much without feeling the pain of your loss. Phil, you were a one in a million friend and you were so very dear to our hearts. I loved you more than I probably ever told you and miss you more than I ever imagined I would. There are so many things that I think of everyday that I want to share with you. I don't think I will ever totally come to terms with your loss. Love you Phil. Carey (and Tom) xxx

I just found out on Sat and am devastated. Our paths crossed back in 07 when we both became invigilators for QE college. We hit it off straightaway. He was instantly likeable and had been gifted a smile that could lighten up anyones mood. He was a reminder that much of the materialistic world that we live is unnecessary and that connecting with one another is far more important and rewarding. It was so easy to establish a connection with Phil because he was so open and kind. I was always overjoyed to check the rota to see that I was working alongside him. We had many an interesting conversation, from which I gained an idea of his passion for green issues and a sense of his quality as a man. I always thought that he would have been great as a radio broadcaster as he had such a wonderful way with words and a beautiful tone. I will never forget the day his utterly complicated (Council-related) phone went off in the middle of an exam - just after the Chief invigilator had been lecturing all the students about the seriousness of such an incident - his face was a picture when he returned from the toilet and learned of the crisis. He was incredibly enthusiastic about life - full of compassion - had a great imagination and a fantastic sense of humour, often exploiting my naivity to humouress effect. I feel privileged to have known him and deep sorrow that I did not take the chance to spend more time with him and join him on one of the many adventures I have read about. The last time I saw Phil was back in 2009, just in passing near Central Ref Library, he was as kind as ever. It is just a shame that that was the last time I saw him. I always wanted to catch up and never got round to it and now it is too late. He is probably only one of two people that I have ever met on this planet that had no hate inside of them. He was amazing and I will miss him. Take care mate - You are truly inspirational and I will not forget you. I am glad that our paths crossed. Prakash

I was fortunate enough to spend much of 1989 on the Farnes with Phil. He was voraciously devouring any literature that he could get hold of as he prepared to return to education later in the year. In Phil I found someone so open and welcoming, happy and engaging that it would be impossible not to like him immediately. Those months on the islands were the perfect haven for limitless conversation, adventure and immersion in the natural world. On Phil's last night the two of us headed out beyond the outermost islands in a zodiac so that he could take in the majesty of the place one last time. We looked back through the islands to the Cheviot Hills, seal heads bobbing in the foreground. The sea picked up as the sun set and we headed back riding great curling waves, our hearts pumping with excitement.

I saw Phil over the following years but as everyone has posted it was never enough. Our last contact was in emails trying and failing to arrange for him to visit me in Fermanagh a few years ago.

He was a such a good bloke and a dear friend

After the Cambodia trip we kept in touch and he stayed a few times. He passed on his unorthodox cycling style to my youngest daughter - one hand on the handlebars, middle of the road, constant chat with your companions - and she hasn't forgotten it along with the joie-de-vivre. The older children were delighted to meet so non-conventional a man who took a genuine interest in them. Underneath the care-free exterior was a thoughtful, well-read and selfless mind. The sense of joy in being came through in long discursive emails from the UK and trips to New Zealand where it seemed the narrow scrapes and adventures continued. The letters did indeed take longer to decipher.
The final act of kindness to me was to use his tree surgeon skills. At the point of departure from a visit, he noticed that a branch of a copper birch tree was tensioning the telephone line. Out came a saw from his bag, up the tree he went. The branch was removed. Job done. Not much thinking about it, spontaneous, done in a spirit of fun. I and my family will miss Phil, a man for whom life was an adventure.

Who could ever not remember Phil? In 2004 I shared a room with him on a cycling trip to Cambodia which raised money for the Cambodian Red Cross. At the time Phil worked part time for the Red Cross in the UK. He was disarmingly engaging with all he met and had twice the energy of anyone else on the trip. As his room mate I can vouch for the 5.30 am runs. He would come back regaling me with stories of having been chased by dogs, narrowly missing submerged concrete girders when diving in murky river waters, to be then enchanted by a kingfisher on the bank. During the day, his excess energy enabled him to divert from the main cycling path in pursuit of a rare bird. Inevitably, this caused some angst on the part of the organisers. But he always managed to charm them into almost instant forgiveness when he caught up with the group. At the other end of the day his energy did not flag. One day, we were just short of 100 km - Phil hadn't cycled this distance before so off he went into still warm temperatures to clock up the extra distance.

I have written and re-written pieces on Phil in my mind a hundred times over the past days, but I still can't find the words. Phil was unique - he was the warmest, most open-hearted, excited (with an almost child-like niaivity), passionate & enthusiastic person I ever met. It boils down to this: every day I ever spent with Phil was a good day. A good day because his love of life was infectious; because he always had 101 things to talk about; because of his humour; because he was always up for an adventure - I just wish there had been more of those days...

PS: I want to thank Glynis also for organising Phil's funeral so well, and to thank all the people who spoke so eloquently and made the spirit of Phil so strong in the room that day.

We have set up a Facebook group 'Phil Gordon' to give friends a more interactive opportunity to share memories and discuss things. We're also aware a few events are planned in Phil's memory so hope that any relevant infomation can be posted

http://www.facebook. com/profile.php?id= 755196264#!/group. php?gid= 119305358108043

Every single day he made us laugh as a team, every single day was a joy working with him. He has left a void that will be impossible to fill and he will never be forgotten as a very special colleague and friend. The yard is going to be a very different place without him.

There is so much more to say, he was such a special man. Only once in a while does someone like him pass through your life and I feel truly blessed to have known him.

Allways soar high Phil. We will keep climbing for you.

He was in a team with me and Dan on the land-rovers most of the time and we were sometimes known as the pony-tail team. We once had some positive feedback from one of our jobs, where especially the ‘two ladies’ had made a favourable impression. As Dan has a beard I can only think that Phil was one of the ‘ladies’.

Everyday he would arrive at work with a grin on his face, rearing to get started. Me and Dan often had to fight him for climbing and he was always the first one up to the very top of the tree, weather any work needed doing at the top or not! He would often say ‘I can’t believe I’m getting paid for this!’.

There were times I could happily have strangled him; he could be so incredibly irritating! But with his genuine warmth it was impossible not to start laughing instead. Just like it was impossible not to like and love him. All at the yard often expressed their admiration for his ability to allways be so positive and passionate. He was the most genuine man I ever met.

I have kindly been given this opportunity to say a few words about what Phil meant to all of us at Trees and Woodlands where Phil worked as a tree surgeon. It is of course difficult to put in words what someone means to you but it feels important to try.

The first thing that any of us at the yard think of when we think of Phil is his big smile. It was legendary at the yard among all the staff, not only those he worked with personally.

Also legendary was his time management skills. He was always a couple of minutes late in the mornings, but we could hear him coming from a mile down the road on that incredibly noisy moped of his. Apart from one day when he was there 2 minutes early and the whole mess-room burst out in a spontaneous cheer!

tbc

I also just wanted to add that the service and Rutland picnic and walk yesterday were really special and I can't imagine a more fitting way to say goodbye to such a totally wonderful man.

It was no surprise that connected to Phil were so many lovely friends and family. I send my love to you all too and I feel all the better for having met you.

Phil wasn't there as he was still up in the top of a tree somewhere else... Doing what he enjoyed most...

Peace to you all. Emma XXXXX

The first time I met Phil was when he came canvassing for the green party on my doorstep. I opened the door to reveal this tall, blonde, bashful, HUGE smile! Phil just smiled for a few seconds and didn't say a word. When we finally spoke neither of us could stop for the excitement of learning that he was the local green party rep and I had just landed the environmental manager post at the University. We agreed we would work together.

Phil then popped in and out of my life in proper 'Phil-style' and was working with two of my oldest Leicester friends and ex-Environ colleagues: Mo at the Green Party and Ase in his new job as arborist. The last time I saw him was at Ase and Simon's birthday party where Phil and Simon (another man with a big smile) had a 'Smilathon' and chat. It was as if someone had put a mirror between their smiles.

The University's Big Green Week (www.le.ac.uk/ environment) from 25th October 2010 will be dedicated to Phil and I'll keep you posted on chances to meet that week.

Fly high Phil. I just wish I'd had more time with you. Emma XXX

I knew Phil as a student at Brooksby, he was an enthusiastic learner and a great character to have in the class, encouraging the others and always keen to learn. He was modest about his achievements, and warm hearted to all he met. It was a tremendous shock to hear of his death, and that shock has been shared by his fellow students and the staff who knew him. A fine man who will be sadly missed, he set an example of energy and commitment and we are all that much richer for having had the privilege of knowing him.

John