I was sad but not surprised to read in the Toronto Star that David Phillips, the Environment Canada meteorologist, has officially confirmed his retirement. Phillips is 80 and has been on radio and TV for decades, including every time there's a major weather event. He's able to explain the weirdest weather in a plain speaking "aw shucks" manner. I've interviewed him a few times over the years, and he's as nice as he seems. 

He explains that's why he kept his retirement after 56 years very low key. But just because his "rain" at the weather office is over, doesn't mean you still won't hear from him.

“I love talking to the media. I love sharing what I know through the media so they can tell Canadians. That’s what my thrill has been for all these years, but what I worry about (when it comes to this story) is that people are all of a sudden going to say, ‘Well, he’s retired, I better not bother him,’ because nobody’s ever bothered me,” Phillips said from his Barrie home.

“Many of my colleagues don’t know I retired. I mean, my whole career has been one of recognition and honour, and I just didn’t want any more of that, so I just kind of went quietly.”

A nice man and a class act. Whatever way the wind is blowing, I wish him well.

Why Canada’s weatherman, David Phillips, retired but hasn’t come in from the cold