Phil Mortimer Dearlove was born in Georgetown, Guyana on November 15, 1948 to (the late) Ivan Benjamin and May Winifred Dearlove. As a young boy, Phil developed a passion for sports, particularly for football, as well as  for religion, politics and perpetual learning. He attended St. Steven's Primary School, and then went on to Chatham High School. After graduation, Phil attended the Government Technical Institute earning a diploma in architectural engineering. He then went on to work at the Guyana Ministry of Works & Hydraulics as a draftsman eventually rising to serve as Chief Draftsman (Acting).

In 1977, Phil was offered an opportunity to work in the booming oil industry. Despite having no prior experience in the petroleum industry, but being a perpetual optimist and always one for adventure, he accepted the offer and relocated his family to neighboring Venezuela. His passion for learning proved most useful as he quickly, through diligent study, learnt Spanish to help himself adjust to the drastic change.

In 1991, as the oil industry boom waned in Venezuela, Phil migrated to the United States of America. He eventually entered the construction industry working as a carpenter. In 2014, after a successful career as a carpenter, Phil retired with more than 21 years of employment, and as a member of the New York City District Council of Carpenters. Following retirement, he desired a more serene life away from the hectic buzz of the city. So he moved to the quiet town of Tobyhanna, Pennsaylvania in the Poconos.

In his later years, his greatest passion was his 9 grandchildren, with whom he enjoyed his most blissful moments that included bouncing them on his lap; sharing grandfather jokes; having them tug on his 'Santa Claus' beard; playing basketball; solving jigsaw puzzles; discussing their future plans etc.

Sadly, on June 07, 2020, Phil transitioned from this life leaving behind his two children, Mark and a Lurline, and his 9 grandchildren, Devon (20), Naomi (17), Allyah (16), Jazmine (15), Tyrese (12) Gabrielle (13), Shaunelle (11), Joanna (10), and Sophia (8). He is also survived by sisters Margaret, Janice and Olga, and by his brother Orrell. In addition to his mother and father, Phil was preceded in death by his sister, Yvonne, and daughter, Angela.