Phillip Woodchuck, aka Punxsutawney Phil Groundhog --
Mr. Woodchuck died suddenly at his home on February 2 in preparation for his highly anticipated annual State of Winters End speech in Punxsutawney, PA. He was a respected and beloved member of the community who brought fame to his town from his role as a true and trusted prognosticator whose name was known around the world. The following article from USA News is reprinted in full below:
The death of a well known American icon, Phillip (Phil) Woodchuck-Groundhog occurred on February 2 at his home and business headquarters in Punxsutawney, PA. As he was about to deliver his annual proclamation to the assembled throng he suffered a fatal heart attack.
Observers reported that the normally small local crowd was at least thirty times larger than in past years. As the speaker left his below-ground bunker and slowly rose to greet the unexpectedly huge gathering, he appeared to be shaken and speechless. What happened next was a calamity. The camera lights of the TV crews and paparazzi exploded like dozens of small dynamite blasts, shutters clicked, microphones were aimed in his direction like rifles and voices screamed loudly, Its him, Its him!! The speaker gasped and tried to speak. Instead of drawing upon his mysterious powers to foretell how many more weeks of winter were left, he shouted, DONT SHOOT! and fell backwards into the narrow underground portal he had moments before exited to make his speech, his bare feet (his trademark habit which conveyed his humble background) were sticking straight up in the air.
One of the reporters on the scene did say that the event must have seemed like an army attack to the normally reclusive fellow, causing him to suffer extreme shock and resulting heart failure. No foul play is suspected, but the investigation will be turned over to the local authorities in cooperationwith ASPCA officials. Lawyers for the family mentioned the possibility of a lawsuit against involved media staff involving incitement to create a riot.
Punxsutawney Phil was a very controversial figure. His clandestine behaviors and secret private life were a mystery to all those who patiently waited each year with great curiosity and anticipation on his end-of-winter predictions, always forthcoming on the second day of February. This was a matter of the greatest value to by millions of faithful followers in planning major projects, such as weddings, crop plantings, business start ups, home repairs, and vacations (to mention a few). Upon his revelation on this topic, people would find cause to initiate conversational furor that rippled over the land, sometimes resulting in revelry by the masses, but sometimes weeks of depression, depending on his prediction,
One would never know what to expect, but Phils proclamations were taken in great seriousness and many thousands of dollars were lost or won for those who chose to make bets on the accuracy of his claim on the number of weeks until winters end. This year will, most unfortunately, will not give loyal followers guidance on important life plans since Phil did not live long enough to make a proper public prediction. There will be much frustration and delay of critical seasonal planning likely for the nation at large. (End of news report)
Leaving to cherish his memory are his widow, Phyllis Groundhog-Woodchuck (his wife chose to use two names so as not to disparage one side of the family or other) and his only son, Phil, Jr., who is expected to follow in his fathers tracks and plans to carry on the family business and tradition. The funeral service will be private in keeping with expressed wishes of the deceased and reflecting his lifetime life style. In homage to his memory, gifts may be made to ASPCA.
A special young friend presented this poem to the family:
Punx su taw - ney Phil
Was he woodchuck or ground hog?
Both roles he could ably fill
Vote for your choice on my Blog *
*
ChuckieWood@holeintheground.com)
# # # By Dorla Arksey Lapeer, Michigan
darksey@yahoo.com
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