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Paul Swiz's avatar

Andrew:

My wife Pat and I were classmates of your dad at U of E. I was also an Aces gridiron teammate of Bill’s.

I share the sentiment expressed by those that posted responses to your post. Bill was the most interesting and impressive individual I have met in my life. You have done a marvelous job using words to paint a picture of a man who excelled or learned something at from everything he attempted.

Thanks for sharing and for stimulating some enjoyable memories in my life.

Paul Swiz

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Andrew Phillips's avatar

Paul: thank you so much for taking the time to read and for sharing here. Dad was so proud of his time at UE and had tons of stories about friends and teammates and the memories you all made. Glad to hear this made you smile. Really appreciate the kind words.

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Bronson Bruneau's avatar

Incredibly done Andrew! Thank you for sharing as we all can takeaway a lesson on “knowing how to live” from your dad. Wish I could have gotten to know him but am happy to have learned even just a little bit more thanks to this!

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Paula Phillips's avatar

I’m breathless. Such a beautiful description of my brother’s life. Thank you, Andrew. Heaven is beaming 😇 Your Dad is proud of you and the life you are living. Aunt Paula ❤️

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Molly Staack's avatar

His life lessons live on in you ❤️ I’m not crying, you’re crying!

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Isabel Labrecque's avatar

How blessed you are to have had your dad. So many beautiful, simple and wise lessons. I can’t pick a favorite - but having great manners and getting outside stand out to me. Thank you for allowing us to get to know him through this tribute. ❤️

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Byron Deeter's avatar

Thank you for sharing, and he’d be so proud of you…as we all see so much of him in you…including the wonderful walking contradictions at times!

I’m also going to live by the “if frustrated or sad, get outside” lesson!

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Jake Perez's avatar

Beautiful tribute to an amazing man. He is no doubt incredibly proud of you and your brothers (and Mom). Thank you for sharing your gifting writing and your father’s wonderful life lessons with us!

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Elizabeth Marlow's avatar

Hi Andrew, thank you so much for sharing your beautiful words about your father with us. I thought that photo of your dad with the trout was you! I loved what you wrote about him especially this line: He knew that most people lacked the ability accurately place themselves in the future - wow! so profound about human nature in general and how special your dad was to know that. I will be pondering that line for quite some time. Thank you again and love to Marlow and the kiddies! xoxo

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Piper's avatar

Andrew, you and your dad could be twins in some of these photos! You are an incredible writer, and this is a beautiful tribute. He sounds like an amazing man any of us would be lucky to know. It takes so much courage and vulnerability to write about someone so close to you, and your love for him leaps off the page. Thank you for sharing his story with all of us!

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Conor McFadden's avatar

This is beautiful writing- what a great gift to the world! Thanks for sharing Andy!

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Abby Albright's avatar

Such a beautiful and captivating tribute to your dad! Absolutely loved getting this glimpse into an incredible man.

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Nicki Untiedt's avatar

I feel like you share most of these same characteristics, Andrew! Very cool to be able to read about how great of a guy your dad was. Thank you for sharing his story!

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