Thomas Lee Phy

Published 7:54 am Friday, August 3, 2018

June 24, 1955 – July 14, 2018

Thomas (Tom) Phy, 63, of Bend, OR, formerly from Doylestown, PA, passed away Saturday afternoon, July 14, 2018, at the Hospice House in Bend. He fought brain cancer with all he had for 6 months before he left this earth.

Born on June 24, 1955, in Abington, PA, he was the son of David Sr. and Muriel (Briggs) Phy. Tom was raised in Doylestown and graduated from Central Bucks West, Class of 1975. He went on to Upper Bucks County Technical School and graduated in 1976 and 1977 with Aviation Concentrations.

Tom is survived by his only child, daughter, Elizabeth (Roland) Finch; and grandsons, Gage and Parker of Charleston, SC; his parents, David Sr. and Muriel; his brothers, David Jr. (Mary), Bruce (Susan) and Robert (Ann) and his sister, BarbaraJean (Mike) Wood and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother, Daniel Phy.

Tom had a love for flying airplanes since he was nine years old and he became a private pilot in 1974. He was a lifetime member of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) and was the President of his local EAA Chapter 1345 in Bend, High Desert Flyers from 2012-2018. He was a tireless advocate of introducing aviation to boys and girls through the national Young Eagles program. He was known as an expert craftsman and home builder, and a ballroom dancer.

A Celebration of Life will be held in two locations; the first from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, August 18 at the Doylestown Fire Company in Doylestown, PA. The second from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., with a Remembrance to share memories at 1 p.m., on Saturday, September 8 at the Bend Airport in the Bend Builder’s Assist Hanger in Bend, OR. Refreshments at both celebrations.

Memorial contributions can be made in Thomas’s name to the EAA Chapter 1345, c/o Bend Builder’s Assist, 63030 Powell Butte Highway, Bend OR 97701.

Arrangements were entrusted to Autumn Funerals, 61555 Parrell Rd., Bend, OR 97702. Online condolences may be expressed at www.autumnfunerals.net.