Philip Chase, 58, PEF Executive Board member for the state Office for Technology, (OFT) died August 23 from heart complications after a motorcycle accident in Minerva.

An animal lover, Chase crashed his motorcycle while trying to avoid hitting a deer. He had a 10-year history of heart attacks and was unable to fully recover from the accident due to heart stress, according to his supervisor, Kim Westcott.

A union man since 1983, Chase began as a steward and was involved in many union battles, including keeping the state’s data center in the Capital District.

“This was a major fight for Phil,” said PEF Secretary-Treasurer Arlea Igoe. “It was important for him to keep data center employees here so they would not have to uproot their families or lose their jobs.

“He was a strong advocate on their behalf and worked hard to make it a reality. He found out at the August Executive Board meeting that we had won,” Igoe said.

Chase was a computer systems programmer at OFT. He started state service in 1975 at the state Office of Real Property Services as a computer operator. He went to work for Higher Education Services Corporation in 1981 and his job was consolidated into OFT in 2000.

He was a motorcyclist, ski instructor and never missed a blood drive. He had a reputation for rescuing animals and then giving them away to friends.

Chase also saved records he valued, including all his time sheets and all of the issues of The Communicator.
“He was well-liked, happy-go-lucky, and always had a huge smile and a chuckle for almost anything,” Westcott said.

Igoe added, “Phil never had a bad word to say about anyone. He had a quiet and gentle spirit. He will be missed.”
Chase leaves behind his: wife, Barbara; son, Michael; brothers; sisters; nieces; nephews; friends; and his feline companion, Peppy. — Deborah A. Miles