In September, I wrote about Pasha Phares, well-known in the South Kitsap acting community, who had been diagnosed with lung cancer. Phares, 40, his wife, Debbie, and daughters, Sierra and Maddie, faced the physical, emotional and financial ravages of critical illness. Friends of the family were trying to lighten the burden, at least financially, by holding a benefit performance of “Fools,” in which Phares had played a leading part couple of decades ago with the performing arts guild of South Kitsap.
Pasha died peacefully on Friday, surrounded by those he loved. His obituary runs in tomorrow’s Kitsap Sun.
Friends who commented for the story remembered him as a “quiet man who says little and observes a lot.” On stage, he had a great comic presence. He was “very intellectual, very intelligent, a man with a quick wit,” said Linda Jensen, who organized the benefit.
Here’s the obituary:
Pasha Phares
of Port Orchard
July 2, 1968
to April 24, 2009
Veteran
Pasha Phares peacefully passed away on Friday, April 24, 2009. He
was surrounded in love by his wife, Debbie, and two beautiful
daughters, Sierra and Maddie. Pasha is loved by many people: His
brother, Pablo; father, David; nephews, Evan, K.C, and Chandler;
his niece, Courtney; his second family, mom and dad, Pat and Chuck;
brothers, Jeff and Jason; sisters, Denise, Bunny, and Renee. The
list of people whom he loved and who will love and miss him are too
numerous to mention, but you know who you are.
Pasha was a great husband, father, and best friend. He never lost
his love of video games, fireworks, disc golf, soccer, playing in
the ocean, and generally having fun. He would choose Disneyland
with his family over working around the house. He would choose
taking the day off to drive to the ocean with his “girls”, as he
referred to Debbie, Sierra, and Maddie over doing chores. In other
words, he chose to live and play and never lost that childlike glee
that escapes so many of us once we become a certain age. He leaves
us his love, joy, and never ending zeal for what the world offered.
In his memory, please commit a random act of kindness. Cherish him
by taking care of others.
Online memorial at www.rill.com.
I have known Pasha since 1992. His daughter and my daughter, Erica, played together when they were very young, and Pasha was very involved on my BBS, when he wasn’t on stage. I’ve followed his illness via Facebook and his blog and was deeply saddened this morning to read of his passing … May God bless his family.