Phillip Piperis

Hey Mr Big Laugh Man :( only found this now after deciding I would try touch base again. I last spoke with you in 2010 while I was back from the UK, i just popped in, and we sat in your office and caught up, it was great!

I remember 1990, Alex, You standing up during class apologizing and letting the teacher know that you needed to shoot to Richmond to check on the bottle store, we all just sat there in awe as you removed your tie and exited. I remember sitting in your lounge after school, and we talked about lifes big questions.

I only met Helen once, and I could see you made a great team right away.

I am sad we couldnt talk again and sadder I didnt look you up sooner. The story of life reaches the comma of death so fast, but it is only a comma and our stories are started with eternity intended, so I will see you in the flesh again Phil. And you will read all of these lovely words on this page about you. The end is nigh; the global event of the a·naʹsta·sis/ressurection and Day of Jehovah is close now. IF you could see the madness going on now.

Acts 24:15 And I have hope toward God, which hope these men also look forward to, that there is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous.

Rev 21:3-5 With that I heard a loud voice from the throne say: “Look! The tent of God is with mankind, and he will reside with them, and they will be his people. And God himself will be with them.And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.” And the One seated on the throne said: “Look! I am making all things new.” Also he says: “Write, for these words are faithful and true.”

I miss hugging you till you got uncomfortable.. or pissing you off with our kitchen bitch. Enjoy conversing with Stan Lee. Miss you cousin. Always your Dumspina.

I still find myself thinking of you and all the awesome things you taught me. I just wanted to say whats up!!! I hope you are slaying dragons and having fun creating new fun projects in a better place. I just wish you could show me a sign that you are with me and have not forgotten of me.All you principles are forever present with me. Love you always!

Dear Phil, I can not believe it has been almost 3 years since you departed from this planet. I miss you so much my mentor"dad" & friend, Its just not the same without you and your memory still lives on with me up to this day. I hope you are slaying dragons and having fun creating new fun projects in a better place. I just wish you could show me a sign that you are with me and have not forgotten of me

life is beautiful and you made it more so with all the memories that we have and no one can take those away from us ,and I strongly feel that you are always watching over all of us .with lots of love .

Thea Thea

ΑΞΕΧΑΣΤΕ ΦΙΛΙΠΠΑ ΜΑΣ
ΕΧΟΥΝ ΠΕΡΑΣΕΙ 3ΜΗΝΕΣ ΑΠΟ ΤΟΤΕ ΠΟΥ ΕΦΥΓΕΣ ΑΠΟ ΚΟΝΤΑ ΜΑΣ ,ΟΜΩΣ ΕΙΣΑΙ ΣΥΝΕΧΩΣ ΣΤΗ ΣΚΕΨΗ ΜΑΣ .ΚΑΝΕΙΣ ΜΑΣ ΔΕ ΜΠΟΡΕΙ ΝΑ ΑΠΟΔΕΚΤΕΙ ΤΟΝ ΠΡΟΩΡΟ ΧΑΜΟ ΣΟΥ ΚΑΙ Η ΚΑΡΔΙΑ ΜΟΥ ΜΑΤΩΝΕΙ ΑΚΟΜΑ ΠΕΡΙΣΣΟΤΕΡΟ ΟΤΑΝ ΣΚΕΦΤΟΜΑΙ ΤΟΝ ΑΔΕΛΦΟ ΜΟΥ ΚΑΙ ΤΟ ΜΑΡΤΥΡΙΟ ΠΟΥ ΠΕΡΝΑ. ΤΑ ΒΑΖΩ ΜΕ ΤΟΝ ΧΑΡΟ ΠΟΥ ΜΑΣ ΠΙΚΡΑΝΕ ΟΛΟΥΣ ΤΟΣΟ ΚΑΙ ΓΡΑΦΩ ΜΕΣΑ ΑΠ ΤΗΝ ΨΥΧΗ ΜΟΥ ΔΥΟ ΛΟΓΙΑ Σ ΑΥΤΟΝ :

Αδίκησες τον αδελφό
που έφυγε στα ξένα
που πάλεψε για τη ζωή
να ευχαριστήσει εσένα.

Ελύγισες τον πρωτογιό
της οικογένειας μας
κουράγιο πώς να του δώσουμε
που είναι μακριά μας.

Υπήρχαν γέροι πάμπολοι
το κέφι σου να πράξεις
μα εσύ προτίμησες μικρό
κι όλους να μας ταράξεις.

Θέλησες το μαχαίρι σου
πάνω του να ακονίσεις
πόνους ,πληγές και δάκρυα
όλους μας να γεμίσεις.

Αν ζούσε η γιαγιούλα του
τότε αλίμονο σου
δε θα βρισκόταν τίποτα
να σκιάσει το κακό σου.

Όπλο θα πάρω να κρατώ
νόμους θα προσπεράσω
κι άμα σε βρω στο δρόμο μου
πάνω σου θα τ’αδειάσω.

ΑΓΑΠΗΜΕΝΕ ΜΑΣ ΦΙΛΙΠΠΑ
ΘΑ ΣΕ ΑΓΑΠΑΜΕ ΚΑΙ ΘΑ ΣΕ ΘΥΜΟΜΑΣΤΕ ΓΙΑ ΠΑΝΤΑ

Ο ΘΕΙΟΣ ΣΟΥ ΚΩΣΤΑΣ ΠΙΠΕΡΗΣ

AΓΑΠΗΜΕΝΕ ΜΑΣ ΦΙΛΙΠΠΑ,
ΕΧΟΥΝ ΠΕΡΑΣΕΙ ΠΕΡΙΠΟΥ 40 ΜΕΡΕΣ ΑΠ΄ΤΟΝ ΠΡΟΩΡΟ ΚΑΙ ΑΔΙΚΟ ΧΑΜΟ ΣΟΥ ,ΑΛΛΑ Ο ΠΟΝΟΣ ΟΛΩΝ ΠΑΡΑΜΕΝΕΙ.
Ο ΠΟΝΟΣ ΜΟΥ ΜΕΓΑΛΩΝΕΙ ΑΚΟΜΑ ΠΕΡΙΣΣΟΤΕΡΟ ΓΙΑΤΙ ΔΕΝ ΜΠΟΡΩ ΝΑ ΕΙΜΑΙ ΚΟΝΤΑ ΣΤΟΝ ΑΔΕΛΦΟ ΜΟΥ ΤΟΝ ΧΡΗΣΤΟ, ΝΑ ΜΟΙΡΑΣΤΩ ΛΙΓΟ ΜΑΖΙ ΤΟΥ ΤΟΝ ΔΙΚΟ ΤΟΥ ΠΟΝΟ ΠΟΥ ΕΙΝΑΙ ΑΒΑΣΤΑΧΤΟΣ!
ΑΓΑΠΗΜΕΝΕ ΜΑΣ ΦΙΛΙΠΠΑ ,ΓΡΑΦΩ ΔΥΟ ΛΟΓΙΑ ΠΟΥ ΜΟΥ ΡΘΑΝ ΣΤΟ ΜΥΑΛΟ ΕΚΕΙΝΟ ΤΟ ΒΡΑΔΥ ΠΟΥ ΜΑΘΑΜΕ ΓΙΑ ΤΟ ΧΑΜΟ ΣΟΥ :

Χάρε μου μας πίκρανες
μας γέμισες με θλίψη
και συ δε θα το ήθελες
παιδί σου να σου λείψει.

Διάλεξες τον καλύτερο
μέσα από το σόι
και τα τραγούδια έστρεψες
σε μαύρο μοιρολόι.

Αιμάτωσες τη μάνα του,
πατέρα και αδελφή του
γιατί σκληρά και άπονα
ρούφηξες την ψυχή του.

ΑΓΑΠΗΜΕΝΕ ΦΙΛΙΠΠΑ,
ΕΙΜΑΣΤΕ ΟΛΟΙ ΠΕΡΗΦΑΝΟΙ ΓΙΑ ΣΕΝΑ ,ΓΙΑ ΤΟ ΜΥΑΛΟ ΣΟΥ, ΓΙΑ ΤΗΝ ΕΥΓΕΝΙΚΗ ΨΥΧΗ ΚΑΙ ΤΟΝ ΧΑΡΑΚΤΗΡΑ ΣΟΥ.
ΘΑ ΣΕ ΑΓΑΠΑΜΕ ΚΑΙ ΘΑ ΣΕ ΘΥΜΟΜΑΣΤΕ ΓΙΑ ΠΑΝΤΑ.
Ο ΘΕΙΟΣ ΣΟΥ
ΚΩΣΤΑΣ ΠΙΠΕΡΗΣ

Thinking of Phil and all those left behind. I have added a poem of comfort that made a difference in my losses and hope it does the same for all those who mourn your loss…

Death is nothing at all,
I have only slipped away
into the next room.
I am I,
and you are you;
whatever we were to each other,
that, we still are.
Call me by my old familiar name,
speak to me in the easy way
which you always used,
put no difference in your tone,
wear no forced air
of solemnity or sorrow.
Laugh as we always laughed
at the little jokes we shared together.
Let my name ever be
the household word that it always was.
Let it be spoken without effect,
without the trace of a shadow on it.
Life means all
that it ever meant.
It is the same as it ever was.
There is unbroken continuity.
Why should I be out of mind
because I am out of sight?
I am waiting for you,
for an interval,
somewhere very near,
just around the corner.
All is well.
Henry Scott Holland
1847 -1918

Some friends make you smile almost everytime they walk into a room, Phil was such a person, RIP my friend, you will be missed.

Αγαπημένε μου Φίλιππα,
δεν υπάρχουν λόγια να περιγράψουν τη θλίψη και τον πόνο που νιώθουμε όλοι απ’την ώρα που μάθαμε τον πρόωρο χαμό σου.
Χρόνια τώρα περιμέναμε να έρθεις στη Λέρο με την αγαπημένη σου γυναίκα , να σας χαρούμε από κοντά .Όμωσ εσύ έφυγες για άλλο ταξίδι μακρινό , γεμίζοντας πόνο και απίστευτη θλίψη όλους όσους σε γνώριζαν.
Είμαστε όλοι υπερήφανοι για τον καλό σου χαρακτήρα , το ήθος σου ,για ό,τι δημιούργησες με την τεράστια μόρφωση που είχες.
Θα σε θυμόμαστε για πάντα καλέ μου ξάδελφε.
Όλοι μας θα θέλαμε να είμαστε εκεί κοντά στο θείο Χρήστο , τη θεία Άννα, την Αγαπημένη Μαριέττα και την αγαπημένη Ηelen , να μοιραστούμε μαζί αυτό το μαρτύριο του αποχωρισμού .
Όμως θα είμαστε νοερά εκεί με το μυαλό και την ψυχή μας , σήμερα να σε αποχαιρετήσουμε , αγαπημένε μου ξάδελφε.
ΚΑΛΟ ΣΟΥ ΤΑΞΙΔΙ ΑΓΑΠΗΜΕΝΕ ΜΟΥ ΦΙΛΙΠΠΑ
ΘΑ ΕΙΣΑΙ ΓΙΑ ΠΑΝΤΑ ΣΤΟ ΜΥΑΛΟ ΚΑΙ ΣΤΗΝ ΚΑΡΔΙΑ ΜΑΣ .
Η ΑΓΑΠΗΜΕΝΗ ΣΟΥ ΞΑΔΕΛΦΗ ,ΤΑΣΟΥΛΑ

I remember when I was at PMB Girls High and having to wait for my mom to pick me up after school from your guys house. Sometimes she was late because she had to travel up from Howick. I was always bored and couldn’t be bothered to do any homework, and I remember trying to spark up any conversation with you, but unfortunately this was hard, because it was during your working hours. I didn’t have much luck, you were always busy, and yes, I was always so fascinated by all the computer screens you had around you. I wondered to myself that you must have been a hacker or something, I remember saying to myself “That this dude is a bloody hacker” I was so fascinated by your intelligence. Most times you tried to answer my questions, and you did so with so much enthusiasm and passion.
Phil you tried all the time to help others and you tried so hard to make them grow. You gave your all to everyone and STILL kept that huge big smile on your face.
You are a true mentor and a special happy great big guy. Your family and friends LOVE you forever and will miss that spark in your eyes.
μπραβο λεβέντη μας <3
Vicky

Dear Phillip In Gods care you rest above. In our hearts you you rest with love. Dear Christo, Anna, Marietta Nick, Helen have courage and keep strong for one another. you are all in our thoughts and prayers. love you mom dad Denise

Dear Phil. Wow.. Im still in disbelief that you’ve passed away.
I find it so hard to believe. Every day since I heard the news, I cannot get you and Helen out of my mind.

You’ve all been in my thoughts and prayers. I don’t know where to start Phil.. You and Helen took me in under your wing with open arms.. You taught me many things. You gave me the will to live. And I really mean that. Before I came to Skilltec, I was pretty much only wishing I was dead.

I cried when I didn’t think I would get to go to Skilltec. Never in my life have I cried over education.

I will never forget the day I received that text message from Helen telling me when class starts. A spark inside me lit up and turned into a gigantic flame of joy and hope. You all gave me hope to reach my Dreams. You gave me something that I cannot ever repay you for. But I cherish each and every lesson I learned from you.

I didn’t just learn more about computers. I learned valuable life lessons from both you and Helen. And I hold those dear to me more than anybody will ever know.

They are worth more than all the money in the world. And I am so grateful that I was lucky enough to learn from both of you.

I really wish I could have spent more time with you. I wish I could have learned more from your great teachings. Not just computer skills. But life as well. You all touched my heart so much.

You were and always will be a role model to me. I hope that one day I will make you proud Phil. I may not take the same path are you have. But I hope that the paths I take in my own life and it’s career will make you proud.

You’re an amazing person Phil. You may be dead on this earth. But your soul lives on.

I love you like a brother or father. Even though I did not know you as well as I would have liked. You and Helen are special to me.

Thank you for everything Phil. And to Helen too.
I hope I will get to meet you again when I die. You will always be in my thoughts.

You did so much for the world. The world has lost an amazing caring, kind and loving person.

Rest in Peace dear friend. I will never forget you. I will never stop trying to make you proud. You are a leader in my eyes.

May your soul be forever filled with joy. And may your family and friends pain ease.

From a proud Skilltec Student. <3

Dear Phil

You gave me the tools to make something of myself, when I look back on everything you taught me I would not have been in the IT Industry if it where not for you and Helen.

My condolences to Helen and the Piperis Family and may Skilltec be Blessed and Prosper the way Phillip intended.

I found guidance, friendship, discipline and love, everything, in one person. And that person is you Phil “impi” Piperis

You where the best teacher and mentor anyone could ask for! Thank you for the life skills and knowledge you have given me and others over the years.

I was part of the 1st class Skilltec had i still remember those good old days we shared together. The Guidance you gave me has made me who i am today

I will Never forget you I am honored and blessed to have known you Phil you will be missed.

For a while we considered our President Helen to be the brains of our merry-ban-of-online-miscreants club… But we all soon realised that the two of you were a “peas in a pod” package deal.
For every thought or idea (read: plot or plan) that Helen plucked from her very busy brain, you were the voice of inspiration that drove her vision, you encouraged her determination and were the source from which she gathered her strength when her confidence had taken a beating.
To us, you were the quiet voice of reason, the reliable bearer of light-hearted, sarcastic quips, and the authoritive voice of life lessons in our secret little cave, in the darkest corner of the Internet. The binding love we witnessed you share with Helen was nothing less than awe-inspiring.
We are all heartbroken for our darling President Helen & your so-named Twang. We know that you are such a huge part of the people that they (and many others) are. We will try to make the journey that they will now take easier for them them to bear, but we know that your inspiration will be the driving force within them for many years to come… And for that we are eternally grateful to you.

Thank you Phil and Helen for your goodness to Shane.

Ek sukkel nou vir ’n paar dae om ietsie te skryf omdat alles nog so onwerklik voel. Ek skryf so paar woorde in Afrikaans om te onthou hoe jy altyd Afrikaans met my probeer praat het, al was dit ’n woord of lettergreep op ’n slag. Dit het altyd wil ’n glimlag gesorg.

Phil, 13 years ago I found myself in Pietermaritzburg walking into Taps Pub & Grill with Wayne Ovenstone finally meeting the man behind the nick. What a start to something quite unique.

I think it might have been shortly after where I had the pleasure of meeting Helen in Cape Town. Fast forward and found myself at my first ever Greek Wedding. Through-out the years, we managed to do a lot of “stuff” / “business” together, not a single regret..

I never did manage to convince you to come over to our side (Stormers), nor did you get a chance to get you R500 back after our little rugby bet. Suppose we will have to teach Helen a thing or two about the game :-)

You left a legacy, a void that never will be filled. There are still so much to say..

I am honored and blessed to have known you Phil.

J.

Phil, we met you only once, but through the years came to understand you to be a most significant man in addition to being Helen’s perfect soul mate. All who knew you are greatly diminished by your passing, but love and courage still walk hand in hand. R.I.P.

Phil, like many, I never met you in person but dealt with you initially through work. Through that contact came so many wonderful friends, life-experiences, more friends, close-knit communities, support structures, love, more wonderful friends, health and the list goes on and on. I can say honestly that my life would not be how it is today had you never crossed my path. I don’t have the vocabulary to explain to you how much that means, but I know that wherever you are, you get it.
Thank you awesomehusband for loving Teh Moo, for being her other half of herself. Thank you for being Mar’s loving and wonderful brother and her rock.

Helen and Mar… Your loss is palpable and I don’t know what to say to you, what words to offer? You are always in my conscious thoughts and I feel your pain and your loss…

You might be gone in the physical, Mr Phil, but you will always and forever be with us.

KarienaIsabella

Dear Phillip

We didn’t know each other very well. Twitter was our only point of contact but it doesn’t take much to see that you changed the lives of those around you. Your family and loved ones are broken by your loss. And not just because you’re gone but because you meant the world to them. That is the sign of a man who is loved and loved in return. You’ll be missed.

“A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops. ~Henry Brooks Adams”

Like “fdisk” said the first time we met Phil he came as across as scary but once you got to know him and did your work he was a friendly ,funny and most of all inspirational man. Our class of that year had great respect for him. Phil will never be forgotten and his legacy will live on in our successful careers gained through his friendship and great mentor ship. May you rest in peace Phil.

Dear Uncle Phillip,

I remember you from when I was a child still living in Africa, some fifteen years ago, and I’m so proud and grateful to have watched and been witness to your amazing transformation over the years. I hope that it gives others the courage and belief that that they too can do the same if they truly want.

I didn’t get to know you very well because we moved to Australia many years ago and it is only now, through your passing, that I know you were a great source of strength and comfort to those around you. Even I, who knew you not, find myself tearing up through the tributes paid to you by people who did. You made a huge impact on those who knew you and were loved by so many people. May you rest in peace..

Phillip you were always a joy to be with, always made us laugh, we had some really good times together, we will never forget you. We know you are in a better place and we will see you one day.

Phil, your friendship was valued by so many of us. All those conversations we shared about everything and nothing will always make me smile. Your wisdom and counsel will be sorely missed. Rest well Impisahn.

Hay s—-house!!
Why oh why did you have to go?
I`m not a man of many words as you well knew but with you I felt understood,loved and always at home.
Never jugging anyone by his money or color that was not your way nothing was to much in always trying to make everyone happy.
Phil you have left so many people with such great love and lot`s of happy memory’s.
I arsed your Thea Maria to just wright a few things but I know that words will never justify how great a loss you will always be in our lives this world was made a better place with a man like you.
Phil you have left your print on all our lives.
RIP now big man you gave us your best.

To Christo,Anna,Marietta,Nick and to your In laws, to your brave and wonderful wife Helen,
May you all find peace in his loving memory.
With fondest love and everlasting respect
Your uncle Dodge
Roger Rodrigues.

Phil you were one of a kind a man with so much positiveness even when the chips were down.
Never letting anyone feel that they could not achieve the impossible or unthinkable.
You and your Helen were always the fist to call and checkup when Thea was sick or down giving her and me comfort and advice.

Phil,

You were my first lecturer. I had never opened a PC until I met you. You called me fdisk for an entire year because I formatted one of the PC’s you had setup to install windows 2000. I’m sure Helen will remember :D

I remember that you two were the only ones that knew what was potting, at Varsity College. It was the first time I had met two genuinely intelligent people.

Phil always came off as scary at first but still maintained a sense of humour. Phil always made it quite clear that he would not help us during exams, but he still did. He was a really great guy. I had so much respect for him. I always spoke so highly of Helen and Phil. It was not for nothing.

When you and Helen got fed up with Varsity College, and opened your own Institution Skilltec, it was great to see you two after so long :) Thank you for accepting my close friend Shane as a student many years later.

You live on in our memories.

To a great man Phillip Piperis

Dear Phil,
I only met you briefly once – but even in that short time I could see you and Helen were so happy together. Helen , my thoughts are with you and Kim,Alex and I send our love. Your long-ago friend Neal-ious. RIP Phil

Your generosity of spirit was inspiring. It was your and Helen’s direct influence, love and treatment of your animals that inspired me to get a dog for the first time in my life (a rescue dog). Thank you for giving me that.

My deepest sympathies to the family.
Cathrine Versfeld

Dear Phil,

It was an honour knowing you, words can’t describe how shocked and saddened we were by your passing. Thank you for all your help and kind words. For showing us that hard work does pay off and that nothing you do is ever a waste.

You made a positive impact on so many peoples’ lives and your legacy will live on through them and their actions.

My sincere condolonces to the Piperis Family.

RIP Phil and give Lolly and Super Moo hugs from me.
xx

I’ve met thousands of people online over the years but would only refer to a tiny handful of them as friends. You would be first amongst them.
Your passing is a loss to everyone you interacted with, which is a small indication of the impact you made on those around you.
I can only imagine the deep pain of those who interacted with you daily (since they now have so much more to miss).
R.I.P Impi..

Our thoughts will be with you always…

Dearest Phil, I didn’t know you personally but I have followed your wofe on Twitter and experienced her unmeasurable grief at your untimely passing which can only mean that your were a shining star and a man to be admired. You clearly have left this world a better place. What a legacy. Go well and to you wife, as sad as your are, take comfort in the fact that you were so loved. Its better to have loved and lost than never loved at all. RIP

Phillip mou,.
Your loss will never be forgotten, you have left a great void in everyone heart that was blessed to have had you in their lives. I am and will always be so proud of having you as my nephew, best man and great godfather to Mario and a even greater cousin to Despina, Timothy and Evangeline. Our lives will never be the same with out you.
You truly were a blessing to uncial Roger and me, I am going to miss all your call`s of wisdom and encouragement, Roger is also going to miss his chat buddy but we promises to keep your spirit alive even if I am only your no 37 fevered aunty. Rest now Phillip Mou, you are safe in Gods arms. This is not a goodbye Phillip Mou just a so long, till we meet again. Please agapi mou say hi to all the rest of the family who are so blessed to have you with them now. I bet that their is a big fat Greek party going on up in haven right now. To Helen, Anna and Christo, Marietta, Nick and baby`s, take comfort that we now are more blessed in having a Angel called Phillip watching over all of us. Filakia panta kai onera glykia Phillip Mou.
With love your smile will always be in our hearts.
From your Thea Maria Uncle Roger, Despina, Mario, Timothy and Evangeline.
We will love you till the end of time.

Kalo sou ta3idi, 3adelfe mou
My sincere condolonces to my family(Thio, Thia, Marieta mou) and especially to his brave, lovely wife

To one of the most courageous and determine business person, I came into contact with. Phil, you made your mark in different avenues and gave those around you the courage to do the same. That is why life is not going to be the same in your absence but your good work will remain as a testimony of your existence.

My sincere condolonces to the Piperis family, especially the wife (Helen) and parents.

Best teacher and mentor anyone could ask for! Thank you for the life skills and knowledge you have given me and my brother in the world of I.T it’s these choices that define you and the choice to join skillec and it’s family was one of my best moves and has taken me forward because of it…. So thank you again Phill and also Helen for all these these things and those not mentioned.

My heart breaks at the mere thought of such a strong presence on this earth being taken away so suddenly from those that LOVED you the most… Always willing to help no matter what the circumstance, honourable and true to those who stood by you!! May you rest in peace and to those you were left behind, may their mourning find peace swiftly!!

At the end of 2010, I got the news that my UK visa application was rejected, I had no back up plan and had just finished school, I really had very few options. I was recommended Skilltec by some students, and that is where I met Phil. We talked a bit and he let me sign up to the 2011 class, even though I was WAAAAY past the application deadline. I wouldn’t say we talked overly much during my year at Skilltec, but the couple of exchanges we had would always be something along the lines of “Hey Noob,…..(insert advice)” , the advice could be anything from improving my CV to to recommended books and series. I didn’t know him as well, as I would have liked, but he never wasted my time, he was always generous with his time and advice, he was interesting and funny, just a pleasant human being. The world has lost a great man. RIP Phil

I only knew of Phil through Helen on the online community, but through her open & refreshingly honest chats, I felt I knew him personally.

Helen, you told me once that “you don’t need to hold hands if your souls are touching” … I know it was in a different context, but it still feels very relevant. Phil’s soul is on a new journey, but you will forever be “touching souls”. He’s walking in new gardens now, with no limitations – together you were able to bring more freedom to his life in the past year, than either of you ever imagined. Embrace those memories, and when times are dark & lonely, remember the privilege of sharing those with him – only you had the strength to be his perfect wife.

Someone said, “Courage is being afraid, but going on anyhow” – you’ve been courageous throughout your entire relationship together, from your first words online … you will find a way to keep going, anyhow – be kind to yourself as you do. Phil knows you are doing your absolute best, and that is more than he would ever ask for.

Praying for you & your family, that you will be comforted in God’s loving arms & that He will provide you with the peace & strength for the times when you need it most, until you meet again.

Rest in peace Phil.

“After the clouds, the sunshine; after the winter, the spring; after the shower, the rainbow; for life is a changeable thing. After the night, the morning, bidding all darkness cease, after life’s cares and sorrows, the comfort and sweetness of peace”. – Helen Steiner Rice

Good bye Phil, your quick comments, razor-sharp wit and unique approach to teaching shaped a generation of sys admins (and probably a few hackers as well) and will be forever remembered.

I only regret not studying further with you.
Rest well knowing you made a difference.

Podge

My brother & I are saddened by Phil’s passing. He was our friend, mentor & business partner in the short time we knew one another.

Helen, we are deeply sorry for you & your family’s loss and we hope you can find strength in each other at such a sombre time.
His memory will live on eternally in our minds & hearts.

Words cant express how i am feeling now.Phil was a brother, a father, a friend and a mentor.When he found me i was like a ship without a radar and had no sense of direction,until i met him…..for that brief moment i,have known him,it feels like a life time.The big guy was like a moon he always had a hidden side of him that i,ll always admire……..Go well my brother,May you find favor in Gods house and find a seat amongst the greatest man who have ever lived.May your soul rest in peace till we meet again.

My flag is hanging half mast today. The loss of a great friend, mentor, partner and farther figure. You will be missed Phil Piperis. You meant allot to all of us. I will miss our laughs and serious conversations. Helen my deepest sympathy goes to you and the family that has made me feel so part of it. I love you all

Dear Phil,

I have never met you in person, but had the pleasure of being in email contact and chat with you over the last few years. You were an intelligent caring man who touched my heart even though we never met. Your love for Helen was undeniable and so touching, she was extremely fortunate to share your life with you. Helen misses you and loves you unconditionally, the respect and love you have for each other will carry Helen through this very hard time. RIP Mr Piperis (Impi)

“Death leaves a heartache no one can heal,
Love leaves a memory no one can steal”

Remain in the hearts of those you touched and keep inspiring us to be wise and courageous.

I am sad that I didnt get to meet such a wonderful man.. You are an inspiration to many. May your legacy live on.

Now butterfly, go live your dream and may your soul dance on the wings of angels.

A brief candle; both ends burning
An endless mile; a bus wheel turning
A friend to share the lonesome times
A handshake and a sip of wine
So say it loud and let it ring
We are all a part of everything
The future, present and the past
Fly on proud bird
You’re free at last

My sweet cousin…Who is going to give me crap now that you’ve left us? Who is going to say to me “Hey, kooksista”? Who? You have gone and left a hole in our family, a hole that can never be filled.

Forever loved and forever missed!

Until wee meet again my cousin!
xx

Those we love don’t go away,
They walk beside us every day,
Unseen, unheard, but always near,
Still loved, still missed and very dear.
R.I.P Phil

Dear Phil,

Everything you did touched many lives and even in your passing you have inspired me to take more control of my life and well-being.

Thank you for all of your guidance and support.

Your energy will live on through all you have influenced.

I will try my best to live up to your memory and make you proud.

Claire

I first met Phil in about 1993, I was interested in computer graphics and was recommended I give him a call as he was ‘into computers’. I went round to his house and he showed me, a complete stranger, all his stuff and I think we played around for over an hour on his Commodore Amiga. We played Speedball II and he showed me some some cutting edge 3D stuff.

He was geeky-cool even back then.

The afterlife will be getting some serious security upgrades pretty soon and probably start running off of Linux.

Farewell Phil, We miss you.

Dear Phil,

Ten years ago when Paul brought me to South Africa for the first time all he wanted is to reconnect with ‘old’ friends and introduce me to them. Needless to say you were on his top list. He had shared lots of memories about your family and your friendship during your school days which he will cherish forever. Can still remember how special it was for you two to reconnect and also meet your lovely wife Helen who clearly made you a happy man! We were looking forward visiting you every year when we were in SA and chat about what we all had been up to. It is very special after all those years to still have a special connection with school friends and I know how Paul always left your house ‘on a high’ xx it isn’t about the quantity of visits but the quality! Thank you for being such a special friend to Paul. We are very saddened by your way to early departure but trust wherever you are you will also touch a lot of hearts and make a difference xx we will never forget you!

Sending you lots of love, peace and light Helen and family xx we will be there for you whenever you need us xx

Taken from us too soon, I will always regret not getting to know you better, my bro-in-law.

Helen, Anna, Chris, Marietta – your loss is great; a big man who fully filled a big, big place in our hearts.

Phil, I hope you’re leading a Spartan charge, or a Caldari battle-group, wherever you are right now.

Neil

Phil we can’t quite believe you are with us anymore. Thank you so much for making Helen as happy as you did and please look out for her where-ever you are.

My lasting memory of you will always be you decrying our ‘LOUD NOISES!!’ whenever I came to visit and Helen and I talked too much :)

I hope where-ever the wind takes you, the internet is super quick and the paleo meals are delicious.

What we wouldn’t give to have you back…

Cathryn

Hi Phil

Cousin, you are so loved and sorely missed. It’s amazing to see how many lives you touched and how many people think you are as awesome as I think you are.

I have many memories of you but my favourites are when I used to come and speak to you about “boys” and when you were teaching me something.

I still impress people with the fact I can solve the rubik’s cube in under 3 minutes. Thanks for teaching me how!

You always made me smile. Every time I came to see you, you made me smile and laugh. You had an infectious smile and laugh that I will never ever forget.

I remember how obsessed you were with that game: Rainbow Island! I remember as a child, fascinated at how good you were at it.

How lucky we all are to have had you in our lives!

I love you cousin, keep smiling, always and forever.

Jo

Hello Phil

My words that follow will never adequately capture your selfless friendship and advice that you gave me over the years. For a long time now, You, Helen and I have had coffee nearly every Friday. I am going to miss those times immensely. I will miss you having a laughing fit, or a mild tantrum with a student but more than that, the talks we used to have. Thank you for all the help you gave my mum when she was going through a tough time. It helped her hugely, she often said it was like having a boxer in her corner, rather than just a cut man. You made her feel safer. One thing I do know is that you helped many many people, and the hours of background work that you did in order to help them, at great cost to yourself will never be truly recognized. I will miss you so much my Friend, I wish you were here still.

Love Simon

Phil… remember that time we were talking about Helen and you told me this one time you yelled to see if your supper was ready and she came into the room and jumped on you simultaneously kneeing you in the groin and told you it was ready in the kitchen? Man I’m probably not getting it just right, and now you’re not around to correct me, but the part I do remember is the part that came next, where you told me just what you thought of her, and just how amazing she was to you. I’ve never met a more capable, more solid, more together guy, and don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone about this little incident. Okay, maybe just a few people.

Dear Phil.
Thank you for the incredible inspiration that you are. You taught me so very much in the little time that I knew you, and I will not let those lessons go to waste. I am aware that you have been fighting an uphill battle for quite some time. I have so much respect for you in that regard; Few men would have the strength required to do what you have done. You are the role model all men should look to. My condolences to Helen, the rest of your family, and all of your friends. Know that you touched thousands, and you will never be forgotten!!
Sincerely
Another noob that you have inspired.

One of my fondest moments with Phil was during our golfing days. We were 17 or 18 and would all jump into Phil’s grey Peugeot and head to Maritzburg Golf Club. On this particular day our motley crew, dressed in T-shirts and slops brazenly decided to tee-off on the first hole in front of the club house without paying our green fees. We had reached the green on the 2nd hole when inevitably the manager arrived and gave us our marching orders. Phil was about to take a long range putt. There was hushed silence whilst Phil calmly took his putt, picked up his ball and casually walked towards the manager with his putter swung over his shoulder. The manager abruptly back-pedalled, got back into his car, wound up his window and proceeded to start his car, as though assuming his life was in imminent danger. It was the funniest sight – Phil tapping on his window to apologize and say we would pay our green fees in future.

Yes as much as Phil could be an imposing and intimidating figure, he was one of the most thoughtful and genuinely caring persons I knew. What a devastating blow.

I will miss you Phil.

My love and sympathies to Helen, Thea Anna, Theo Christo, Marietta and Nick
Paul (Aka Clarence)

Dearest Phil

The world is a poorer place without you. Thank you for making my Helen feel like a Princess Bride every single day that you were together.
You have touched more lives and influenced more people than you ever knew, and I’m sure you can see how proud your loved ones are as more and more people come forward with stories about how you changed their lives.
Your legacy will never fade.

All our love,

The Skippy clan.

Dear Helen
There are no words sufficient to express our sympathy on the sudden loss of your beloved husband Phil. We also think of Phil’s heartbroken Mom and Dad, Marietta, Nic and the innumerable family and friends who are mourning the loss of Phil who touched everyone’s lives in a special and unforgettable manner.
The love between you and Phil and just “who you both are” remains an inspiration to so many. In the tributes there are those who never even met Phil, but he made a positive and lasting imprint on their lives. He leaves a great legacy which lives on for all who knew him.
My favourite memory of Phil was at the christening of Murr and Nic’s beautiful triplets in early December. I came to introduce my husband Carl and I recall being struck by Phil’s genuine pleasure to see us at this special occasion, you joined us and he said we must visit again as it had been so long since I visited last in about 2005.
As we left I spoke with Carl about Phil, who I remember as a supportive, loving brother to my dear friend Marietta when I first met her way back in1998. He had a gentleness and caring nature and was the quiet stability for her, with her bubbly loving character. I saw that again just a few weeks ago.
May the Lord comfort you all in these dark days ahead.
“But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” Isiah 40:31
Memories are snapshots taken with the heart and treasured forever. For now there are many tears but some time in the future the laughter and joy of treasured memories will lift you up, even though on this earth Phil’s presence is missed by all.
Much love and hugs to you all
Joanne and Carl xxx

even though i bareley knew you. you helped me alot through collage and struggles. everytime i was called int your ffice i would be affraid but yet you give us the scare you always seem to come up with a joke that would make every one laughn even though we did well in our exams you congratulated us and said you want better wich pushed us to achieve better to show you what proud students we were. you were a scary person with a kind heart it was a honour knowing you and shareing some laughs with you may you rest in peace and never be forgotten

Dear Phil, I never had the chance to me you. But I know that you were truely loved & you will be missed. Thank you for loving Helen & for being an amazing husband. Rest in peace <3 Lots of love, Toni & Giorgio

Phil, awesome husband, and dinosaur wrangler, you will be sorely missed.

I had the privilege to know such a great man. Phil, you will forever be in our hearts. Deepest condolences to Helen & Family!

Phil was actually the first person to start calling me “Carlucci”. He made me feel like we were old friends from the first day i met him. He had a way, from just his demeanor and accomplishments, that made me feel like excelling and doing great things for myself.
I can’t thank you enough Phil for being that drive and source of inspiration that laid the foundation of my knowledge in Network Engineering. I carry on today having you in mind.
God surely has gained a new angel – Rest in Peace Phil!

Carlucci

Phil, I am proud to have called you a friend for the last 15yrs. Although I have not been able to see you much in the last 12yrs you and Helen have never been far from my thoughts. Phil when I think of your passing I cannot get the words from Goodbye, Mr Chips out my head. “Was I Brave and Strong and True, Did I fill the world with Love my whole Love through”. I want to stand Witness and Shout out Loud YES YOU DID. One need only read the comments from People, many of whom you never even met to realise that a truly great person has left us. If it is not the Legacy you have left behind in the people you have taught and mentored over the years, or the People you have impacted with you Story battling Diabetes then it is the loyalty you shown to your friends and Love you have shown to your Wife and Family.

You truly will be missed but you will live on in the Hearts and Minds of all the people you have touched. Wherever you are I certainly hope they have good internet connection.

The only thing left for me to say is Slán go fóill (Goodbye for Now) Impi.

Dear Phil,
Having never met you, like so many others I feel like I knew you. You were and will continue to be an inspiration to all of us in so many ways. You will be greatly missed, even by those who didn’t know you personally and that is the mark of a truly great soul:) May you rest in peace knowing that you’ve achieved all that you were meant to during this lifetime. Lots of love to Helen and Marietta xxx

Phil, I met you for the first time at skilltec in 2012 and it was a big honor, you always got the best out of people and you never gave up on anyone that needed a helping hand, You will be missed,

“’You have changed allot of lives and you will live on in so many harts”"

Phil, you changed many lives around this country and touched many hearts by those who bore witness to Helen’s love for you. You must have been one in a million. My heart goes out to your family, my wish for them is to find peace and remember the love that you all shared. Rest in Peace, your work here is done.
Much love and respect to you and Helen and Marietta and the rest of your family,
Penny

Phil, you will be missed for your generosity of spirit, your lovely sense of humour, your strength, for the love you had for Helen, for your love of animals – especially doggies – and for your humanity. Heaven is the richer right now and I wish you peace, and if heaven has computers – I hope they realise they are being hacked to pieces! Much love. xoxox

My association with the Sleek Geek Familia made You and Helen part of my Pre Diabetic Journey .
Your amazing wife shared your journey that inspired and motivated many.Watch over your beautiful Wife Helen from heaven above.
RIP Phil a wonderful Soul
Much Love XxXx

Phil, you were responsible for a large part of who I am today. It is thanks to you that I am not a Diet Coke Admin, and I will forever be grateful for your guidance and influence on my life.You were a wonderful man, and will always remain in my heart and thoughts. I will forever miss you, and wish you everlasting peace. Thank you for being my friend.

Phil, I had never met you but found your life changes from Paleo an inspiration to us all and paticularly those with diabetes. Only a few hours before you passed I read aloud your progress, from Helen, to a friend and we were amazed by your achievements, how far you had come. I was deeply saddened to read only a few hours later that you had passed. I was at a loss for words. Rest in Peace Phil.

Dear Phil,
I am honoured to have had you in my life. You were a great inspiration to me throughout my time in Skilltec and you still are. When I left Skilltec with my brand new certifications I had hoped to one day come back to you and Helen and show you how far I had gotten in life. I hoped to show you how successful you had helped make me and I wanted to make you proud of what I had become. I loved your harsh, dry, and hilarious wit. I loved that while you were so intimidating we knew that it was all an act to keep us in line. You have been an incredible man and I can only hope that I can become half the man that you were.
I will never forget you and I will always have that urge to make you proud.
You are a tough act to follow, sir. Rest in peace.

I am so humbled by all the thoughts, prayers and lives that have been touched by you Phil.

Brother, I will cherish all our childhood memories and I will share them with your niece and nephews. I will also share with them the good you have done to make such a great difference in the world.

I drove past Uncle Alex’s house the other day and I had visions of him having a family get together to welcome you to heaven :) with the family signature of a lamb on the spit!!!

Wherever you are <3 your greatness will shine through. Mom and Dad are also so amazed and PROUD at how much you have done and achieved. I could go on forever but I just want you to know….You have truly been the most amazing brother and I will miss you every single day. Until we meet again <3 Go well into your next journey and miss you my brother <3 miss you so very very much <3

All my love always and forever

Your shitsa M xxx

I am honoured and blessed to have known you Phil. You were truly a blessing in Helen’s life. Having met you recently, and seen the love you and Helen shared, was truly wonderful. And I am grateful for that opportunity. Your sense of humour and kind words always will never be forgotten. A man my husband loved and respected, and one I wish my kids could have met.

“To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die.”
—Thomas Campbell

Dear Phil, I did not really know you, although I did have the opportunity to meet you twice when my girls were attending Skilltec, and through them came to admire and respect you. Thank you for all that you did for them, the encouragement, support and advice you gave them. You always seemed to have a special bond and camaraderie with those who came into contact with you. Rest in peace Phil and go well. Prayers for Helen strength in the dark days ahead.

Dear Phil
Although we never met, I have printed out your story, as shared by Helen, and given it to other diabetics and they have been inspired by your success. I am shocked and deeply saddened by your sudden departure and Helen is in my thoughts daily.
Rest In Peace

You always said that, and teased me and Thea Maria about been one of the favorite aunts,I loved that as I always felt the special one to you and Im sure all the other aunts.
you will always be in my memories and how you also teased your little cousins ,rest in Peace AGORI MAS.

Phil, you and your family were my Greek Family. I’ve so many treasured memories of all the fun we used to have with Marietta after school each day. The nonsense you, Koeks and Moegs used to get up to. I remember how we used to bunk our Latin lectures! Most of all I remember how happy Helen made you. Phil you always told me how proud you were of my academic achievements. I want you to know that I was equally proud of all yours too. Phil, you leave us all heartbroken, but, with so many wonderful and cherished memories. I know God will hold the family protectively and we know your love will always shine.

Phil, I never had the pleasure of meeting you. However, in an odd way I felt a part of your life through Helen’s posts on SleekGeek. Your health journey inspired me beyond limits. As you fly with angels know that all that we have learnt from you will continue to resonate in my life. I pray for Helen’s strength during these dark days.

Dear Phil
I never knew you personally but it was evident what kind of man you were they way Helen spoke about you and it was evident how much she loved you. You inspired so many through your journey over the last 7 months eating the paleo way and reducing your meds so drastically and you will continue to inspire through your beautiful wife Helen.
RIP Phil

Phil, nothing can really describe the ache that is in my heart at the moment. You have taught me so many things throughout my years of knowing you and I will never forget it. I looked up to you as one of the greatest mentors I have ever known and you helped shaped me into what I am today. Thank you for all the nervous tension, the stressful projects and throwing me in the deep end, I realise now that if it didn’t happen like that, I would still be your “little bitch”. Thank you furthermore for all the happy memories, the laughter, the legendary braais (P-P-P-Pap-en-vlies-P-P-Pap-en-vleis) and your eagerness to run businesses successfully. You will never be forgotten. We will miss you so very much!

Phill, I never met you in person and only had the pleasure of a few brief exchanges with you on Facebook in the Sleekgeek community…Most often we experienced your journey via the posts of Helen. Your lifestyle changes and courage to take the right steps for your health were an inspiration to the community. Thousands in the group had the privilege of being inspired by you. I will do what I can to make sure that continues because despite this tragic and untimely end I believe you had ironically taken back your health related to your fight against diabetes. Though I do not know your family well, I hired Cath Helen’s sister when she was a junior and have seen her mature in her career with pride… so in a strange way I feel more connected to your extended family… You are not gone… only in body .. your soul will live on with those who loved you and were inspired by you… have peace … Elan.

I remember walking into Varsity College and being the first to experience Phil’s sense of humor for my blue hair. Over the course of the year, we as a class came to know and love Phil for his outlook on life, his quick to laugh and his wise words.
Further study under Helen and Phil was always a joy and always something to look forward to.
Phil, you have had a greater impact than I think you even knew. Thank you for giving us your time.
Hamba Kashle Impi

May you rest in peace. really wanted to be taught by you and learn as much as i possibly can this year from you.

Although I never had the honour of meeting you in person, you were such an inspiration to me and the thousands of people on Sleek Geek. Your legacy of persistence, determination and inspiration will live on forever. Much love. Xx

Phil, I did not have the privilege of knowing you. However through Facebook messages posted by Helen I soon realised that you were a unique and wonderful person. You have left this world a better place. You can truly say “I used all of my talents, there is nothing left, nothing hidden”

Phil I want to thank you for all the great opportunities you presented me with or helped me realize when they were right in front of me, your honesty and ability to say what is on your mind was always a comfort for me cause I knew that when I needed your advice or needed your help you would always point me in the right direction. Phil I am torn to think that this world has lost someone as legendary as you, every minute that we spent chatting I could not believe the power of your mind and how vast your intelligence was, I wish that there was more time to learn from you. you were a great man, always there for those who were in need and deserved your help, always willing to give advice. Phil I want to thank you and Helen for all you have done for me you helped me become the person I am today by helping me realize my potential and aiding me in turning my life around and I could never repay you for that. Good bye Phil we will all miss you and you will be forever on our minds and in our hearts as you have influenced all of our lives greatly.

Dear Helen
Your sudden loss of your dearest husband has saddened us immensely. Although we did not know him, we know you and how much you loved him and therefore honour him.
Hamba kakhuhle Phil.
The Millar Clan, Cape Town, London and Perth

Phillip, you inspired me, a Type 2 Insulin dependent diabetic, in my journey to alleviating my insulin-dependence and it is working! I am so saddened that you departed this earth in the prime of your life but the spirit world has gained an Angel. Rest in eternal peace knowing you were loved by many and inspired many too.may y1oy always watch over your dearest Helen. xxx

Dear Helen, Theo Chris, Thea Anna, Murray, Nick and babies
We deeply sorry to hear about your Phillip, our prays and thoughts are with you during these difficult times. Rest in peace Phillip till we all meet again

Love Botha clan (Phillip, Catrina, Dimi and Lexi) from Perth

Phill

My dear sweet husband,

No words can describe the pain of your loss. I was the luckiest woman in the world, I married my best friend, through thick and thin, and with everything that life threw at us we only grew stronger and fell more in love.

You are my gentle giant, my protector, my defender, the only person to make me laugh no matter what is wrong, and the person who believes in me even when I don’t believe in myself. You are my hero.

You are the best thing that has ever and will ever happen to me, and I am a better person for having shared my life with you.

It has been my utter privilege to have been by your side for 12 precious years, and your wife for 9. As broken as my heart is, I can hear your voice telling me what you always say: “Energy can neither be created nor destroyed”. So rest well and roam free and happy among the stars.

Until we meet again, my forever love.