Funeral service for Phil Frazer

by Bob Wonders on 27 Sep 2013 Funeral services for the late Phil (Phillip John) Frazer will be commemorated on Tuesday (October 1) at 10.30am at the Dream Centre, Carrara on the Queensland Gold Coast.

The former Maritimo production ace passed away last week after a short, but courageous battle against cancer.

He spent 14-years working with Maritimo chief Bill Barry-Cotter, initially at Riviera Marine, then with Maritimo.

Born in Auckland in 1955, Phil Frazer was instrumental in the construction of the Maritimo 60, first vessel launched by Barry-Cotter’s new company, which went on to be named 2005 Cruiser of the Year and all-round Australian Boat of the Year.

The Maritimo 60 remained Phil Frazer’s favourite model in the award-winning Maritimo range.

Boats were Phil Frazer’s life, whether it was the luxury cruisers turned out by Riviera and Maritimo, through to the Aussie Whalers designed and built by him or the offshore race boats with which he maintained close involvement.

I well remember how distraught Phil was when his great mate Mark Lee, the former Australian Offshore champion, was killed in 1994 during the Russell Island race on the Gold Coast.

He had been closely involved with Lee and his ‘Steinlager’ offshore team.

A few days prior to his passing, Phil told me he felt privileged to have been part of the Australian boating industry.

'I could never have wished to have been involved with so many outstanding people,' he declared, 'and I’m proud to say many of them have become great mates.'

'It really has been a voyage to remember.'

Proudly displayed on a cabinet by his bedside at the Greenslopes Hospital was an elaborate plaque presented to him earlier this year as Maritimo’s ‘Employee of the Decade’.

Bill and Lesley Barry-Cotter (and the entire Maritimo team) provided a moving tribute to their colleague, which was published in the Gold Coast Bulleting.

It stated 'We all share the loss of a loyal and passionate craftsman. The marine industry has lost one of its greats.'

Phil Frazer leaves behind his fiancée Deb, children Kurt, Krystle, Colin and Dean, brothers Mark and Paul and sisters Christine, Deborah and Ruth and their families.