Phillip Norman Mckay

Phillip Norman McKay, 75, born on June 13, 1939, in Hollywood, California, passed away July 5, 2014. He resided in Glendale, Arizona at the time of his passing. Arrangements are under the direction of Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills, Los Angeles, CA.

Growing-up in the Fairfax district of Los Angeles he went to Hollywood High and Fairfax High were he eventually met his wife to be. He had seen many changes to the landscape while growing up. At one point his sister said most of Hollywood was grass fields for miles. He had watched Gilmore Oil, Pan Pacific Convention Center both come and go along with changes to La Brea Tar Pits going from an open pit to a full museum. As the city grew and changed so did he, as there was always room for adventure and something new. In his early days he worked many miscellaneous and odd jobs never focusing on any one.
Previous to being married, life was hit and miss, in and out of mischief and constant changes. He was an adventurist, always looking for something different and when he was tired of what he was doing he would turn to look for another adventure. Getting settled with Carol Susan McKay was his greatest achievement in his lifetime aside from being a machinist. The marriage helped keep him focused with the necessities in life, not just the adventures. He was an accomplished Machinist for the aerospace industry making parts for Boeing and Lockheed. Even though he was with Carol over 25 years, then divorced, he was never able to achieve the same level of "family" that he had accomplished with Carol.
He was a very social person always wanting to mix with the group. Enjoyed socializing with friends and telling past-time stories, hanging around at coffee shops such Winchells. Would hear many stories of Old LA, auto racing through the back streets of LA beyond the county line while officers would only be able to watch (now NBC studios). Spoke of the kids growing up in the neighborhood. He also enjoyed meeting at the 'Scene' on Saticoy Street with his buddies every couple days out of the week. Marriage eventually fell through after meeting another significant partner at the bar, and from that point on his marital relations deteriorated till they were divorced. He had always been very fond of dogs. Bonnie one of three dogs he owned, was especially attached, a part German Shepard breed. He also attend LA Community College for additional education after High School but never obtain a degree.
In his last days he always reminisced about going back to Los Angeles. He would tell me "I almost got into the car and drove there", even though he was too debilitated to do so. He did enjoy Arizona, its weather and open spaces, something that wasn't available in Los Angeles anymore as he remembered from his youth. On that last day, the nurses came to awaken him for breakfast and he just refused to get-up. Later when they returned to get him up he had quietly passed.
He did not have any children, but left behind nephews, nieces and cousins from his sister and sisters'-in-law. He will always be remembered as "Uncle Phil" for we know no other. His wife will also be remembered as "Aunt Carol" for there also will never be another like her.