Review: A warmhearted glimpse into the life of "Big Philip"
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 12 29, 2013
In the preface to his book, author Philip McQuillan laments that most people, after they pass away, will not be remembered even by their descendants, with nothing more than a few lines in an obituary to record their lives. In the style of the old Reader's Digest monthly feature "My Most Unforgettable Character," McQuillan recounts the life of his dad, "Big Philip" McQuillan, who died in 2011 at the age of 98.A high school teacher by day and a radio news announcer at night, Big Philip was indeed an unforgettable character to his family and friends. He was an accomplished cook, liked playing games with his family, and could spout Shakespeare all day. He had many pet words and phrases, and the author has cleverly bolded those words and phrases in the text to sharpen the image of who his father was. The author sums up his dad's life as a study in selflessness, with his two most memorable characteristics being his sense of humor and a never-ending willingness to help others.It was a very readable, warmhearted memoir of a man who will never have a Wikipedia page or monuments to his greatness, but who will be remembered by those who knew him.