Phil Daley of Richmond’s Russell Jewellers retired this week after working at the watch and jewellery shop for almost 60 years.
Friends and customers dropped in celebrate the 81-year-old’s career on Saturday, his last day of work.
“He’s a real character … a real inspiration. When he’s around, he has a real presence,” said Sacha Kuettel, who’s taking over as owner of the business.
Mark Daley, Phil’s son, said his father is an old-school full service jeweler. Whereas now people might specialize as a goldsmith, a watchmaker or a gemologist, his father dabbled in it all. What really excited him, Mark said, were time pieces.
“He could take apart a clock and put it back together, which is an old art.”
Phil declined an interview, a decision that Mark and Kuettel chalked up to modesty.
“My dad is probably one of the most humble, gracious people I’ve ever met,” Mark said. “I think that’s been his charm with people. He’s very warm.”
Longtime customers were eager to praise him.
“Phil was not only a great craftsman, he was also very much liked by his customers for his friendliness and his good natured humour,” said Karl Maier.
A couple of years ago, Phil he thought he would have to close the store when he retired. Mark works as a contract writer and sessional instructor at UBC, and although he trained under his father and still works at the store, he wouldn’t be able to take over full-time.
That’s where Kuettel, a longtime friend of Mark’s, came in.
“He was like, what do you mean? [The store has] been running for 60 years, you don’t just close it,” Mark said.
“You can’t close this place,” Kuettel added. “It’s sort of iconic.”
So that’s how the former American Express executive who also runs an equipment leasing company decided he would take over as owner.
The current Russell Jewellers storefront is at No 3 Road and Westminster Highway. But in the 1970s and 80s the store also operated stalls inside a number of London Drugs locations, offering in-store jewelry and watch repairs.
Jack Russell, Mark’s grandfather and Phil’s father-in-law, was the original Russell behind the shop’s name. He was a watchmaker in Winnipeg who moved out West and founded the shop in 1960. Phil started working there in 1961, Mark recalled.
“My grandfather always said Phil, every time a customer comes through your door they’re doing you a favour. And my father remembered these things,” he said.
Phil may still pop in to the shop from time to time, Mark said, but he’s trying to convince the watchmaker to wind down, so to speak.
