Philip Bainbridge

Philip Bainbridge, 91, of Lexington, Ma passed away peacefully on February 21, 2017 following a sudden stroke. Beloved by his family and friends, he will be missed by all who knew him.

Son of Horace and Mary Ann (Smith) Bainbridge, Phil grew up in Barnsley, a coal mining town in Yorkshire, England. Completing the Higher National Certificate at Barnsley Mining and Technical School, Phil left to work at Doughty Aircraft in Cheltenham where he met Janet Downing, who fell in love with his blonde hair and motorbike, they married in 1950. Seeing an advertisement reading "Canada Needs Engineers", Phil sold his motorbike for passage on a steamship to Canada. Arriving in Toronto in January with seventy-five dollars, Phil met a friend to stay with and found work at Canada Wire and Cable. Janet followed six months later, and they traveled across Canada together that summer in a old Model A Ford.

Emigrating a few years later to the U.S., he settled in Lexington where his son Chris was born to whom he was a loving and involved father. He earned a masters degree in mechanical engineering at NorthEastern's night school. Phil was an active tennis and badminton player who loved folk dancing. Phil's brother, Trevor, and his family also came to the U.S., residing in nearby Andover, they remained close all their lives. Sadly, Trevor passed away only nine days prior to Phil. Phil is survived by his wife of 66 years, Janet (Downing) Bainbridge of Lexington, son Chris Bainbridge and his wife Diane (Wysocki) of Burlington; grandchildren, Rachel, Rebecca and Melissa. nephew: Johnathan Bainbridge and nieces: Elizabeth McNamara, Catherine Stanton and Alison Hinerman, and their mother Margaret Bainbridge; and longtime friend and supporter, Elaine Gampp.

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, March 7, 1:00 PM at the Follen Church, 755 Mass Ave in East Lexington, reception following. Phil and Janet supported many charities. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in his honor to the Folk Arts Center of New England, Habitat for Humanity, WGBH, Pine Street Inn, Boston Rescue Mission, Sawtelle Family Hospice House, or Doctors without Borders.