Resident Spotlight - Phillip Lum

Phil has been a great supporter of the Buzz right from the very beginning – always commenting and chatting about the site whenever we’ve run into each other downtown.  (Thanks Phil )  Recently I witnessed him work long and hard helping with the fire on Maquinna Crescent.  He must have made a hundred trips with oxygen tanks back and forth from the fire hall.  Thanks so much for all your hard work Phil – I hope your shoulders are feeling better!

How long have you lived in Gold River?  What brought you here?

I’ve lived in Gold River for 44 years now.  I came looking for work as tree planter.

What do you do for (paid) work?

I’m now retired, but in the past it was logging, the Village of Gold River, the old Tahsis pulp mill and GR Smolts.

Please tell us about any volunteer work you do.

My volunteer work over the years was many things.  Gold River Minor Ball (coach and President) Gold River Minor Hockey (coach, manager, executive -  also lifetime member of GRMHA), organized Gold River Days for years, instrumental in starting and organizing slow pitch, Gold River Kinsmen, Gold River Lions, PEP Coordinator and now the Gold River Fire Department.

Please tell us a bit about your family.

I was married in Scotland to Jean, two of our boys (Phil and Paul) were born in Glasgow and our third (Jon) was born here on Robbie Burn’s day.  All the boys were educated here in Gold River and went through all the sports programs that were offered here.  Jean worked at RWES for 30 odd years before retiring.  We have four grandchildren – Brittany, Rachel, Ryon & Morgan. Three have graduated high school already and Morgan just graduated from the Little Dino’s Preschool.

Do you have any pets?

Yes, we have a dog named Mei Ling.

What do you like to do for fun?

For fun I like golfing, walking and helping others.

What do you wish Gold River had that it doesn’t? Is there anything missing for you?

A bowling alley.

And just for fun – if you were invisible, where would you go / what would you do?

I would travel through Asia meeting people.

Is there anything else you’d like to add?

I would like to some sort of Industry to come to Gold River and put some stability back into the town.

Thanks so much Phil – I enjoyed your answers, and thank you for giving so much of your time to Gold River over the years.