Philip Andrew Sawdon 1966 - 2023

Funds raised

£1,215

Page story

Philip A. Sawdon, 57, of Bedfordshire, died peacefully and unexpectedly in his home on 1 June, 2023.

Philip was born 6 February, 1966, in Leeds, to Bronson (Gething) and Kenneth Sawdon, and grew up in Yorkshire. He was a Northern lad, but felt he belonged in the South, and often spent time in London.

Philip was a tech enthusiast with a wide range of interests from quantum physics, space, and science fiction to drawing, art, and crystals. He enjoyed the outdoors, nature, and the beach. He was most comfortable in woodland solitude.

In his formative years, young Philip worked in his father’s butcher shop. He didn’t much like getting up early, but said he got great life lessons from the experience, not to mention an appreciation for bacon sandwiches.

As a student, Philip took A levels in Computer Science, Economics, and Geography. These would remain lifelong passions: a love of technology, business project management, travel, and the outdoors.

Philip developed an interest in computers at an early age, writing a weekly column for The Yorkshire Evening Post when he was a teenager. Businessmen would drop by his parents’ house to ask the young computer whiz for advice.

When the Apple Macintosh computer was introduced in 1984, 18-year-old Philip was selling them at Lasky’s. For the rest of his life, he liked to be on the cutting edge of all technology and was especially loyal to Apple.

Philip became a highly experienced and versatile IT professional. He was quite proud of his early work with the Royal Air Force (RAF) on Project CARAFE. He traveled to exotic places like Gibraltar, the Falkland Islands, and Africa, installing computer systems in RAF stations. He also installed computers in Buckingham Palace for the Queen.

As can be with IT jobs, Philip often faced redundancy, which he would call “low level luck” because it usually resulted in a big payout, and a new (better) job opportunity. In fact, when one door closes another often opens, and one bout of redundancy led to several successful years of self-employment during which time Philip enjoyed the prestige of working in the Mansion at historic Bletchley Park – an achievement of which he was rightfully proud.

He was well-liked by employees. A LinkedIn comment reads: “Philip was the best manager I've ever had. His door was always open and I could go to him with anything. His technical knowledge was unmatched and the whole department respected him.”

Philip and his ex-wife Kirstie had two children together, Matthew and Kesia, who Philip would frequently describe as his greatest achievements. After divorce, he found tranquility living on The Lakes Farm, where he fed apples to and occasionally rode the local horses. Fitting, as Philip means “lover of horses.”

Weather permitting, Philip could be found in the sunny farmland garden on one or more of his devices: working, video conferencing, or listening to music. As with his job, another door opened as he entered a long-term relationship with his partner Amy, after he moved to the farm.

Philip was independent, single-minded, passionate, determined, excitable, visionary, and curious: an entrepreneur. He described himself as a Peter Pan, still a child at heart. With delight, Philip acquired his dream car in 2022, a white Lexus Sport with red leather seats.

He had recently become more interested in fitness, taking care of both his body and spirit. Philip’s last outing on the bank holiday weekend included Kew Gardens and a meal at a Greek restaurant. He was happily imagining he was back in Greece; he always had the next trip in mind. No one guessed he would depart for his ultimate destination just a few days later.

But, as Philip might sum it up: “That will do, naught better than that.”

Besides his parents, Philip is survived by his beloved children, Matthew “Matty” Joel and Kesia Pippa Sawdon and their mother Kirstie Davies; his brother, David (Jayne) Sawdon and his godchildren Robert and Emily; Aunt Linda (Stewart) Wilkes and cousins Joanne and Paula; Aunt Irene (Michael) Barry and cousins Simon and James; his partner Amy Moser, and her children, David and Evelyn, who all loved him beyond measure and will miss him terribly.

Memorial services and inurnment will be held at 11 am on Friday, 21 July, at Pontefract Crematorium, Wakefield Road, Pontefract West Yorkshire WF8 4HA. Please wear something bright.
To watch the service via livestream, go to: https://www.wesleymedia.co.uk/webcast-view and use the pin: 414-9470. The stream will be recorded and will be available to watch for one week after the service itself.

Online condolences at https://www.facebook.com/philip.sawdon

Raised

£1,215

Target

£200

607.415% there

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